She's from Chicago, that's all I know, she's such a long way from home
She's such a young girl, it's such a hard world, she took a chance on her own
It's been so long, she forgets what it's like
To be in her home for more than one night
She's running real hard, she travels real light, she's a runaway

She's barely sixteen, nothing she ain't seen, they threw her out when she was ten
She learns the hard way, there's new things each day, she ain't going home again
Although so young she's harder than steel
She's learnt how to live, she's forgot how to feel
She's bitter right now, she's had a rough deal, she's a runaway

Hitching a ride on a winter's night ... standing by the road
A sign on her back says L.A. ... the night is very cold
She's running away to the sun
She won't stop and think, she'll regret what she's done ...

So tired of waiting, just suffocating, she's sure life's passed her by
It's such a big bore, she can't take no more, there's something else she must try
She looks around at the things in her home
She's wondering how she's gonna make out alone
She slams the front door, she's out on her own, she's a runaway