Once there was a boy who left the bed he slept in
And he ran away 'cause he felt life was cruel
A killer of fools was walking close behind him
The boy was afraid that he'd be thought a fool

Oh the fool killer is a giant they say
He chops down a fool and he goes on his way, yeah
Better runaway boy was a runaway boy
Very much like you

So, he claimed the hills and roamed the woods and valleys
Just get up and go became his golden rule
A killer of fools was walking in the shadows
The boy was afraid that he'd be thought a fool

Then there came a day a man and woman found him
Lovingly they smiled and then they called him son
No more did he fear that wicked old fool killer
I know that it's true because I was the one

Oh the fool killer is a giant they say
He chops down a fool and he goes on his way
Well who was the fool tell me the boy in his bed
Or the boy who used to roam

Runaway boy listen, runaway boy better go on home

Copyright: BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network
Writer(s): BURT BACHARACH, BURT F. BACHARACH, HAL DAVID