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.
A 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
And so he took it the first chance he had
And then he shot her in the leg
And this is what she said
(He's) Only A Lad
You really can't blame him
Only A Lad
Society's made him
Only A Lad
He's our responsibility
Only A Lad
He really couldn't help it
Only A Lad
He didn't wanna 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 car
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 wanna do it
Only A Lad
He's underprivileged and abused
Perhaps a little bit confused
It's not his fault that he can't behave
Society's made him go astray
Perhaps if we're nice he'll go away
Perhaps he'll go away, he'll go away...
Only A Lad
You really can't blame him
Only A Lad
Society made him
Only A Lad
Is he our responsibility?
Hey there Johnny,
You really don't fool me.
You get away with murder and you think it's funny
You don't give a damn if you live or if you die
Hey there Johnny boy
I hope you fry!