Runaway Child, Running Wild

You played hooky from school

And you can't go out to play, yeah

Mama said for the rest of the week

In your room you gotta stay, yeah

Now you feel like the whole world's pickin' on you

But deep down inside you know it ain't true

You've been punished 'cause your mother

Wants to raise you the right way, yeah

But you don't care, 'cause you already made up your mind

You wanna run away, yeah you're on your way

Run away child, running wild

Run away child, running wild

Better come back home, better come back home

Where you belong, where you belong

Roaming through the city, going nowhere fast

You're on your own at last

Hey it's getting late, where will you sleep

Gettin' kind-a hungry, you forgot to bring something to eat

Oh, lost with no money, you start to cry

But remember you left home wanting to be grown

So dry your weepin' eyes

Siren screamin' down, neon light is flickin', you want your mama

Ah, there's nothing for you

You're frightened and confused I want my mama

But she's much too far away

She can't hear a word you say

You heard some frightening news on the radio

About little boys running away from home

And their parents don't see them no more

You wanna stop hitch a ride and go home

But your mama told you never trust a stranger

And you don't know which way to go

Streets are dark and deserted

Not a sound nor sign of life

How you long to hear your mother's voice

'Cause you're lost and alone but remember you made the choice

Run away child, running wild

You, better go back home where you belong

Run away child, running wild

You, better go back home where you belong

You're lost in this great big city

Go back home where you belong

Not one familiar face; ain't a pity?

Go back home where you belong

Oh, runaway child runnin' wild

You'd better go back home where you belong

Mama, mama, please, come and see about me!

But she's much too far away; she can't hear a word you say

You're frightened and confused; which way will you choose?