Long Arm Of The Law

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 movin'

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 smiled 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, humid mine shack

A midwife pulled the sheet back

And placed a cool damp towel on Marianne

Billy's eyes were wide with wonder

From the spell that 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 holdin' 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

And he smiled at his grandson

Then his eyes cut back to Billy

And 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"

Ah, but you can't outrun the long arm of the law

No, you can't outrun the long arm of the law