Lyrics:

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 picking on you
But deep down inside you know it ain't true

You're in punishment '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
Runaway child, running wild
Runaway child, running wild
Better go back home 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?
You're getting kinda 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 weeping eyes

Sirens screaming down neon lighted streets
You want your mama, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run
Are they looking for you? You're frightened and confused
I want my mama, 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 the parents don't see them no more
You wanna stop to hitch a ride, I know

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

Runaway child, running wild
You better go back home where you belong
Oh, runaway 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 a familiar face, ain't it a pity
Go back home where you belong

Runaway child, running wild
You better go home where you belong