Standard (EADGBE)
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 foolkiller is a giant they say.
He chops down a fool and he goes on his wa-ay-ay.
Better runaway boy was a runaway boy.
Very much like you.
So he climed 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 foolkiller is a giant they say.
He chops down a fool and he goes on his wa-ay-ay.
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.