[Verse 1: Dennis Edwards]
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
(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

[Chorus: The Temptations & (Dennis Edwards)]
Run away child, running wild
(Run away child, running wild)
Better come back home
(Better come back home)
Where you belong
(Where you belong)

[Verse 2: The Temptations]
Roaming through the city
Going nowhere fast
You're on your own at last
Hey, it's getting late, where will you sleep
Gettin' 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 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, oh

[Chorus: The Temptations]
Runaway child, running wild
Better go back home where you belong, hey hey hey
Run away child, running wild
Better go back home where you belong
[Bridge: Dennis Edwards & (The Temptations)]
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, running wild
You better go back home where you belong, oh yeah

[Outro: Dennis Edwards]
Mama, mama please come and see about me
Oh, but she's much too far away
She can't hear a word you say
I want my mama
Oh, you're frightened and confused
Which way will you choose?