About the song
Background:
- Released in 1982, “The Long Arm of the Law” is a song by country music legend Kenny Rogers.
- While it wasn’t a major hit on the charts, it’s a well-regarded track within Rogers’ discography.
Themes:
- Social Class Divide: The song tells the story of a forbidden love between Billy, a coal miner’s son, and Mary, the daughter of a judge. Their contrasting social backgrounds create a significant obstacle for their relationship.
- Inevitability of Justice: The title “The Long Arm of the Law” refers to the idea that justice will eventually prevail, no matter how hard someone tries to escape it. In the song, Billy is ultimately caught by the law, presumably for some transgression related to his relationship with Mary.
- Love vs. Societal Constraints: The song explores the tension between passionate love and the limitations imposed by social pressures and class differences.
Additional Notes:
- The lyrics depict the emotional toll of the situation on both Billy and Mary.
- The song doesn’t explicitly take sides, leaving the listener to ponder the complexities of the situation.
Video
Lyrics
In Cumberland KentuckyOn a cool autumn eveningBilly lay in love with MarianneShe was a rich judge’s daughterHe was the son of a minerBut that night their love was more than they could standThe judge said to his daughter“That son of that coal minerIs someone you’d do well to leave alone”She knew her dad so wellShe knew she couldn’t tellBut the truth was bound to show before too longTheir love had started growing on its own
You can’t outrun the long arm of the lawNo, you can’t outrun the long arm of the law
Billy placed his hand on MaryAnd he felt the baby movingKissed her, and said “I’ll see you when I can”The judge had made a promiseWhen he caught up with BillyHe’d send him far away from MarianneThe whole town knew he’d do itToo many times he’d proved itTo at least a hundred men behind the wallHe’d smile behind that frownAnd when he brought that gavel downHe called himself the long arm of the lawAnd he’d set his mind on seeing Billy fall
In a hot and humid mine shackThe midwife pulled the sheet backAnd placed a cool, damp towel on MarianneBilly’s eyes were wide with wonderFrom the spell he was underWhen she placed the newborn baby in his handsHe didn’t hear the sirenJust the baby cryingThat miracle of love was all he sawWhen the door came crashing downAnd Billy turned aroundHe felt the heart and soul inside him fallHe stood face-to-face with the long arm of the law
You can’t outrun the long arm of the lawNo, you can’t outrun the long arm of the lawYou can hide out for a whileHe says with a smileBut you can’t outrun the long arm of the law
Seemed like everybody down in Cumberland, KentuckyCame out that day to see poor Billy’s trialThe court was called to orderThere sat the judge’s daughterShe looked so proud, holding Billy’s childWhen they brought Billy to himThe judge just looked right through himAs he held that Holy Bible in his handThen he smiled at his grandsonAnd his eyes cut back to BillyHe said “I think this time the law will understandSon, I sentence you to life with Marianne”
You can’t outrun the long arm of the lawNo, you can’t outrun the long arm of the lawHe said to Billy with a smileI know you hid out for a whileBut you can’t outrun the long arm of the lawNo, you can’t outrun the long arm of the law