Lyrics
Oh, Mama, I'm in fear for my life
Expressing fear for one's life from the law.
From the long arm of the law
Feeling threatened by the authorities.
Lawman has put an end to my running
The lawman has stopped the person's attempt to escape.
And I'm so far from my home
Being far away from home in a difficult situation.
Oh, Mama, I can hear you a crying
Receiving distress signals from the speaker's mother.
You're so scared and all alone
Describing the mother as scared and alone.
Hangman is coming down from the gallows
The executioner is approaching to carry out the punishment.
And I don't have very long (yeah)
Expressing a sense of urgency, indicating little time left.
The jig is up, the news is out
Announcing the exposure of the speaker's identity.
They've finally found me
The speaker has been found by the authorities.
The renegade who had it made
Describing the speaker as a renegade who was successful until now.
Retrieved for a bounty
Being captured for a reward.
Nevermore to go astray
Committing to no longer deviate from the expected path.
This will be the end today of the wanted man
Anticipating the end of the speaker's life as a wanted man.
Oh, Mama, I've been years on the lam
Reflecting on years spent evading the law.
And had a high price on my head
A bounty on the speaker's head has been set.
Lawman said, "Get him dead or alive"
The lawman wants the speaker captured, dead or alive.
Now it's for sure he'll see me dead
Expecting imminent death at the hands of the law.
Dear Mama, I can hear you a crying
Receiving desperate messages from the speaker's mother.
You're so scared and all alone
Reiterating the mother's fear and loneliness.
Hangman is coming down from the gallows
The executioner is approaching again.
And I don't have very long
Emphasizing the limited time left for the speaker.
The jig is up, the news is out
Reiterating the exposure of the speaker's identity.
They've finally found me
Confirming the capture of the renegade.
The renegade who had it made
Describing the speaker's past success as a renegade.
Retrieved for a bounty
Being captured for a reward, repeating the situation.
Nevermore to go astray
Reaffirming the commitment to stay on the right path.
The judge will have revenge today
Expecting the judge to seek revenge on the speaker.
On the wanted man
The judge will exact revenge on the wanted man.
Oh, Mama, I'm in fear for my life
Repeating the fear for one's life from the law.
From the long arm of the law
Reiterating the threat from the authorities.
Hangman is coming down from the gallows
Emphasizing the imminent arrival of the executioner.
And I don't have very long
Stressing the limited time available for the speaker.
The jig is up, the news is out
Reaffirming the exposure of the speaker's identity.
They've finally found me
Confirming the capture of the renegade, repeating the situation.
The renegade who had it made
Describing the speaker's past success as a renegade.
Retrieved for a bounty
Being captured for a reward, repeating the situation.
Nevermore to go astray
Recommitting to staying on the right path.
This will be the end today of the wanted man
Anticipating the end of the speaker's life as a wanted man.
The wanted man
Repeating the speaker as a wanted man.
And I don't wanna go, no-no
Expressing a desire not to face the consequences.
Mama, don't let 'em take me!
Pleading with the mother not to let the authorities take the speaker.
Hey, hey
A brief, emotional exclamation.
No, no, no, I can't go
Expressing a refusal to accept the fate of being captured.
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