The Runt

Rough him up and shove him down

Make him cry when he comes ?round

Treat him any way you want

After all he's just runt, just a little runt

Runt is what they called him

But his name was Buddy Grey

He lived out on Maple Street

?Bout a mile away

Hand-me-downs were all he wore

Poverty and nothing more

Always someone laying for ? the runt

They catch him in the school year

When he came out to play

Then get him in a circle

Where he couldn't get away

They'd shove him here

And they'd shove him there

If he fell down, nobody cared

Just anything to keep him scared -- the runt

Then one day walking home from school

The teasing went just too far

They chased the runt out in the street

Nobody saw the car

They only heard that awful sound

They saw the broken body on the ground

Then everybody gathered around -- the runt

They buried him on Sunday

His classmates all were there

And the tears filled each every eye

When runt's mother said a prayer

Lord, even though you've taken him

I think I understand

He's finished the job you've sent him for

And done it like you planned

If you made all people to look the same

It just wouldn't be right I guess

So you put a few now and then, like my runt

To bring others? happiness

His shortness makes others feel tall

His weakness makes others feel strong

His features make others feel pretty and handsome

And his sadness brings others a song

So rough him up and shove him down

Make him cry when he comes ?round

Treat him any way you want

But thank God for the runt

Yes, thank God for my little runt