Various Artists Follow

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

He's only a lad, you really can't blame him
Only a lad, society made him
Only a lad, he's our responsibility, oh, no no no

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
But 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 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
Society's made him go astray
Perhaps if we're nice he'll go away
Perhaps he'll go away, hey

Only a lad, you really can't blame him
Only a lad, society made him
Only a lad, he's our responsibility, yeah

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 we live or if we die
Hey, there Johnny boy I hope you fry

Everyone said if you don't get straight, you'll surely go to hell
But Johnny didn't care