Johnny was bad, even as a child everybody could tell

Everyone said if you don't get straight

You'll surely go to hell



But johnny didn't care

He was an outlaw by the time that he was

Ten years old

He didn't wanna do what he was told

Just a prankster, juvenile gangster



His teachers didn't understand

They kicked him out of school

At a tender early age

Just because he didn't want to learn things

(had other interests)

He liked to burn things



The lady down the block

She had a radio that johnny wanted oh so bad

So he took it the first chance he had

Then he shot her in the leg

And this is what she said

Only a lad

You really can't blame him

Only a lad

Society made him

Only a lad

He's our responsibility

Only a lad

He really couldn't help it

Only a lad

He didn't want to do it

Only a lad

He's underprivileged and abused

Perhaps a little bit confused









His parents gave up they couldn't influence his attitude

Nobody could help

The little man had no gratitude



And when he stole the care

Nobody dreamed that he would

Try to take it so far

He didn't mean to hit the poor man

Who had to go and die

It made the judge cry



Only a lad

He really couldn't help it

Only a lad

He didn't want to do it

Only a lad

He's underprivileged and abused

Perhaps a little bit confused



It's not his fault that he can't believe

It's not his fault that he can't behave

Society made him go astray

Perhaps if we're nice he'll go away

Perhaps he'll go away

He'll go away



(repeat chorus)

-acapo