You played hooky from school   And you can't go out to play   Mama said, you're arrested a week   When you've roamed you gotta stay   Now you feel like the whole world's pickin' on you   But deep down inside you know it ain't true      You're being punished strictly   'Cause your mother wants to lead you the right way   But you don't care   Cause you've already made up your mind you wanna run away   You're on your way   (Runaway child runnin' wild)   Runaway child runnin' wild   (You'd better go back home)   You'd better go back home   (Where you belong)   Where you belong      Runnin' 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; you forgot to bring somethin' to eat   You're lost with no money, you start to cry   But remember, you left home and you wanna be grown   So dry your weepin' eye      Shouting, screaming down neon-lighted streets   You want your mama   All day no one but 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've heard some frightenin' news on the radio   About little boys runnin' away from home   And their parents don't see 'em no more   You wanna stop 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      The streets are dark and deserted   Not a sign outside of light   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'd better go back home where you belong   Oh, runaway child runnin' wild   You'd 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?