Renegade
Renegade Redemption: A Desperate Run from Justice
Lyrics
RENEGADE
Introduction of the song title, "Renegade."
Styx/Michael Martin Murphey
Indication of the artists: Styx/Michael Martin Murphey.
Oh mama I'm in fear for my life
The narrator expresses fear for their life from law enforcement.
From the long arm of the law
Feeling threatened by the authorities ("long arm of the law").
Lawman has put an end to my running
The lawman has caught up, stopping the narrator's escape.
And I'm so far from my home
Narrator is far from home due to running away.
Oh mama I can hear you a crying
The narrator hears their mother crying, feeling scared and alone.
You're so scared and all alone
Mother's fear and loneliness emphasized.
Hangman is coming down from the gallows
The hangman is approaching to carry out the execution.
And I don't have very long
Narrator acknowledges limited time left before consequences.
This jig is up the news is out
The jig is up, meaning the deception or evasion is over.
They've finally found me
Authorities have found the narrator.
The renegade who had it made
The renegade, once successful, is now captured.
Retrieved for a bounty
Caught and to be returned for a reward.
Never more to go astray
No longer able to stray or escape.
This will be the end today of the wanted man
Today marks the end of the wanted man's journey.
Oh mama I've been years on the lamb
The narrator has been on the run for years.
And had a high price on my head
A bounty has been placed on the narrator's life.
Lawman said get him dead or alive
Lawman's order is to capture the narrator, dead or alive.
Now it's for sure he'll see me dead
Certainty of the narrator's imminent death.
Dear mama I can hear you a crying
Mother's sorrow and fear emphasized again.
You're so scared and all alone
Mother's emotional state magnified.
Hangman is coming down from the gallows
The hangman is approaching once more.
And I don't have very long
Narrator reiterates the limited time left.
This jig is up the news is out
Deception is over, and the news of capture is public.
They've finally found me
Confirmation of the authorities finding the renegade.
The renegade who had it made
Reiteration of the renegade's previous success and current capture.
Retrieved for a bounty
Confirmation of the renegade being retrieved for a reward.
Never more to go astray
The renegade will no longer be able to go astray.
The judge will have revenge today
The judge will seek revenge on the wanted man.
On the wanted man
Emphasis on the imminent end of the wanted man's journey.
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