About the song
Kenny Rogers and “The Long Arm of the Law”
Kenny Rogers was a country music singer who had a long and successful career. He was known for his smooth, deep voice and his ballads about love, loss, and life. One of his most popular songs is “The Long Arm of the Law,” which was released in 1980.
“The Long Arm of the Law” is a country ballad about a young man named Billy who is in love with the daughter of a judge. The judge disapproves of the relationship and threatens to send Billy to jail if he doesn’t stay away from his daughter. Billy and the judge’s daughter run away together, but they are eventually caught by the law. Billy is sent to jail, and the judge’s daughter is forced to return home.
The song is a cautionary tale about the dangers of running afoul of the law. It also explores the themes of love, loss, and redemption. The song was a critical and commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard country music charts. It also crossed over to the pop charts, reaching number 11.
“The Long Arm of the Law” is one of Kenny Rogers’s most signature songs. It is a classic country ballad that tells a timeless story of love, loss, and redemption. The song is still popular today and is enjoyed by fans of all ages.
Some additional information about the song:
- The song was written by Roger Bowling and Billy Edd Wheeler.
- It was released in 1980 as the lead single from Rogers’s album of the same name.
- The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
- It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male.
- The song has been covered by many artists, including Jerry Lee Lewis, Don Williams, and Randy Travis.
Here are some of the key lyrics of the song:
- “The long arm of the law finally caught up with me
- And I’m standing here before you
- With nothing left to say
- But I’m guilty, your honor
- Guilty of loving your daughter
- And I’m willing to pay the price.”
The song’s message is that no one is above the law and that everyone must eventually answer for their crimes. However, the song also shows that love can be a powerful force that can overcome even the most difficult obstacles.
Video
Lyrics
In Cumberland, Kentucky on a cool autumn evening
Billy lay in love with Marianne
She was a rich judge’s daughter, he was a son of a miner
But that night their love was more than they could stand
The judge said to his daughter, “That son of that coal miner
Is someone you’d do well to leave alone”
She knew her dad so well, she knew she couldn’t tell
But the truth was bound to show before too long
Their love had started growing on its own
You can’t outrun the long arm of the law
No, you can’t outrun the long arm of the law
Billy placed his hand on Mary and he felt the baby moving
Kissed her, and said, “I’ll see you when I can”
The judge had made a promise when he caught up with Billy
He’d send him far away from Marianne
The whole town knew he’d do it, too many times he’d proved it
To at least a hundred men behind the wall
He’d smile behind that frown and when he brought that gavel down
He called himself the long arm of the law
And he’d set his mind on seeing Billy fall
In a hot and humid mine shack the mid-wife pulled the sheet back
And placed cool damp towel on Marianne
Billy’s eyes were wide with wonder from the spell he was under
When she placed the newborn baby in his hands
He didn’t hear the siren just the baby crying
That miracle of love was all he saw
When the door came crashing down and Billy turned around
He felt the heart and soul inside him fall
He stood face to face with the long arm of the law
You can’t outrun the long arm of the law
No, you can’t outrun the long arm of the law
You can hide out for a while he says with a smile
But you can’t outrun the long arm of the law
Seemed like everybody down in Cumberland, Kentucky
Came out that day to see poor Billy’s trial
The court was called to order there sat the judge’s daughter
She looked so proud, holding Billy’s child
When they brought Billy to him the judge just looked right through him
As he held that Holy Bible in his hand
Then he smiled at his grandson and his eyes cut back to Billy
He said “I think this time the law will understand
Son, I sentence you to life with Marianne”
You can’t outrun the long arm of the law
No, you can’t outrun the long arm of the law
He said to billy with a smile I know you hid out for a while
But you can’t outrun the long arm of the law
No, you can’t outrun the long arm of the law