Runaway Child, Running Wild (Live On The Ed Sullivan Show, February 2, 1969)

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 want to 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 want to 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 make the choice

Run away child, running wild

Better go back home where you belong

Run away child, running wild

Better go back home where you belong