Runaway Child Running Wild
The Temptations Lyrics

You played hookie from school and you can't go out to play, yeah
You skipped school and now you're grounded, so you can't go outside to play.

Mama said, for the rest of the week, in your room you gotta stay, yeah
Your mother has confined you to your room for the rest of the week as a punishment.

Oh ho, now you feel like the whole world's pickin' on you
You feel like everyone is being unfair to you.

But deep down inside, you know it ain't true
You know that you deserve the punishment for skipping school.

You're in punishment
You are being punished for your actions.

'Cause your mother wants to raise you in the right way, yeah
Your mother is trying to guide you onto the right path.

But you don't care
You don't care about your mother's guidance.

'Cause you already made up your mind you wanna run away yeah
You have decided to run away from home.

You're on your way, runaway child, running wild
You have started on your journey away from home.

Runaway child running wild
You are a runaway who has gone wild.

Better go back home where you belong
You should return home where you belong.

Roaming through the city going nowhere fast, you're on your own at last
You are wandering around the city aimlessly and alone.

Hey, it's gettin' late, where will you sleep?
It's getting late, and you have nowhere to sleep.

You're gettin' kinda hungry, you forgot to bring something to eat
You're getting hungry because you forgot to bring food with you.

Oh, lost with no money you start to cry
You are lost and broke, and it's making you cry.

But remember, you left home wantin' to be grown, so dry your weeping eyes
You made the choice to leave home, so you need to stop crying and be mature about the situation.

Sirens screamin' down neon lighted streets
You hear police sirens on the lit-up city streets.

You want your mama
You are missing your mother's comfort and love.

Run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run
You feel the urge to run away from everything.

Are they looking for you?
You wonder if people are looking for you.

You're frightened and confused
You are scared and unsure of what to do.

I want my mama
You desperately want to be with your mother.

But she's much too far away, she can't hear a word you say
Your mother is too far away, and you can't communicate with her.

You've heard some frightening news on the radio
You heard some scary news on the radio.

About little boys running away from home
The news you heard was about other children who have run away from home.

And the parents don't see them no more
The children who ran away from home are no longer with their parents.

You wanna stop to hitch a ride, I know
You think about stopping someone for a ride.

But your mama told you never trust a stranger
Your mother told you to never trust strangers.

And you don't know which way to go
You're lost and don't know which way to turn.

Streets are dark and deserted, not a sound nor sign of life
The streets are empty and it's completely silent.

Oh how you long to hear your mother's voice, 'cause you're lost and alone
You crave your mother's love and support because you are scared and alone.

He he he, oh, runaway child, running wild
You're a runaway who is out of control.

You're lost in this great big city
You're lost in the vast cityscape.

Not one familiar face, ain't it a pity
You haven't seen a familiar face, and it feels sad.

Oh yeah, my girl
You are talking to someone, possibly yourself.

Mama, mama, please, come and sit here by me
You are crying out for your mother's presence.

Oh, you're frightened and confused, which way will you choose
You're scared and indecisive about which direction to take.