Featured In

Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Curtis Mayfield
Curtis Mayfield
Vocals
Craig McCullen
Craig McCullen
Guitar
Joseph Scott
Joseph Scott
Bass Guitar
Master Henry Gibson
Master Henry Gibson
Percussion
Morris Jennings
Morris Jennings
Drums
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Curtis Mayfield
Curtis Mayfield
Songwriter
Gary Slabo
Gary Slabo
Arranger
Johnny Pate
Johnny Pate
Arranger
Riley Hampton
Riley Hampton
Arranger
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Curtis Mayfield
Curtis Mayfield
Producer
Irv Stimler
Irv Stimler
Producer
Bill Inglot
Bill Inglot
Reissue Producer
Dan Hersch
Dan Hersch
Mastering Engineer
David McLees
David McLees
Reissue Producer
Roger Anfinsen
Roger Anfinsen
Recording Engineer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Little child, runnin' wild
Watch a while
You see he never smiles
[Verse 2]
Broken home, father gone
Mama tired, so he's all alone
Kind of sad, kind of mad
Ghetto child, thinkin' he's been had
[Verse 3]
But I can just hear him
In the back of his mind sayin'
Didn't have to be here
[Verse 4]
You didn't have to love for me
While I was just a nothin' child
Why couldn't y'all just let me be
Let me be, let me be, let me be?
[Verse 5]
Little child, runnin' wild
Watch a while
You see he never smiles
[Verse 6]
Broken home, daddy gone
Mama tired and he's all alone
Kind of sad, oh baby, kind of mad
Ghetto child, thinkin' he's been had
[Verse 7]
And I can just hear him sayin'
I didn't have to be here
You didn't have to love for me
[Verse 8]
While I was just a nothin' child
Why couldn't they just let me be
Let me be, let me be, let me be?
Written by: Curtis Mayfield
instagramSharePathic_arrow_out