Renegade
Written by Tommy Shaw
Lead Vocals by Tommy Shaw
Oh Mamma, I'm in fear for my life from the long arm of the law
Law man has put an end to my running and I'm so far from my home
Oh Mamma, I can hear you a crying you're so scared and all alone
Hangman is coming down from the gallows and I don't have very long
The jig is up, the news is out
They finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Never more to go astray
This'll be the end today
Of the wanted man
Oh Mama, I've been years on the lam and had a high price on my head
Lawman said "Get him dead or alive" and it's for sure he'll see me dead
Dear Mama I can hear you a cryin', you're so scared and all alone
Hangman is comin' down from the gallows and I don't have very long
The jig is up, the news is out
They finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Never more to go astray
The judge will have revenge today
On the wanted man
Oh Mama, I'm in fear for my life from the long arm of the law
Law man has put an end to my running and I'm so far from my home
The jig is up, the news is out
They finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Never more to go astray
This'll be the end today
Of the wanted man
For reasons not revealed, the renegade has been on the run from the law for a long time. The reference to a hangman suggests this takes place in the years of the Old West in America. The "gallows" refer to a structure built for public hangings, intended to deter would-be criminals from committing crimes, much as the cross was used in ancient Rome. To be wanted "dead or alive" and expected to hang for his offenses suggests murder, but could be selling guns to Indians, horse theft, or even cheating at cards.
"The jig is up" means that that his cover has been blown and he has no defense. The man is close to being caught and sure to be hanged. He just wishes he could get back to his mother. He knows that she has been afraid for his life, praying for his safety every night. Now he's likely to never see her again.
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