You play 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 Oh, now you feel like the whole world's picking on you Oh, now you feel like the whole world's picking on you But deep down inside you know it's you It's you, it's you, it's you You've been punished, missed, cause your mama wants to raise you the right way, yeah But you don't care, cause you're already made up your mind you're gonna run away, yeah You're on your way, runaway child, runnin' wild, runaway child, runnin' wild Gonna go back home, where you belong, where you belong Run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run Roamin' through the city, goin' nowhere fast, you're on your own at last Hey, it's gettin' late, where will you sleep? You're gettin' kinda hungry, but you forgot to bring something to eat Oh, lost with nobody, you start to cry But remember, you left home only to be grown, so dry your weepin' eyes Dry your weepin' eyes, dry your weepin' eyes, dry your weepin' eyes Sorry, screamin' down the unlighted street, you want your mama Run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run Oh, they lookin' for you, you're frightened and confused Run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run But she's much too far away, she can't hear a word you say You've 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 the hits, you're all alone But your mama told you, never trust a stranger, and you don't know which way to go Run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run The streets are dark and deserted, not a sound, not a sign of life Oh, how you long to hear your mother's voice Cause you're lost and alone, but remember, you made the choice Oh, runaway child, runnin' wild You better go back home, where you belong Oh, runaway child, runnin' 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 it a pity Go back home, where you belong Oh, runaway child, runnin' wild You better go back home, where you belong Oh, yeah Mama, mama, mama, please, come and see about me Oh, but she's miles too far away, she can't hear a word you say Oh, you're frightened and confused, which way will you choose Mama, mama, mama, please, come and see about me