Written by Johnny McRae
Recorded by Hank Snow
Rough him up and shove him down
Make him cry when he comes ÔÇÿround
Treat him any way you want
After all heÔÇÖs just runt, just a little runt
Runt is what they called him
But his name was Buddy Grey
He lived out on Maple Street
ÔÇÿBout a mile away
Hand-me-downs were all he wore
Poverty and nothing more
Always someone laying for ÔÇô the runt
They catch him in the school year
When he came out to play
Then get him in a circle
Where he couldnÔÇÖt get away
TheyÔÇÖd shove him here
And theyÔÇÖd 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 runtÔÇÖs mother said a prayer
Lord, even though youÔÇÖve taken him
I think I understand
HeÔÇÖs finished the job youÔÇÖve sent him for
And done it like you planned
If you made all people to look the same
It just wouldnÔÇÖt be right I guess
So you put a few now and then, like my runt
To bring othersÔÇÖ 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 ÔÇÿround
Treat him any way you want
But thank God for the runt
Yes, thank God for my little runt
