Styx is best known for the hit songs "Lady", "Come Sail Away", "Babe", "Boat on the River", "The Best of Times", "Too Much Time on My Hands", "Renegade" and "Mr. Roboto". The band has had four consecutive albums certified multi-platinum by the RIAA.
Renegade
Styx Lyrics
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From the long arm of the law
Lawman has put an end to my running
And I'm so far from my home
Oh, Mama, 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 (yeah)
The jig is up, the news is out
They've finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Nevermore to go astray
This will 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"
Now it's for sure he'll see me dead
Dear Mama, 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've finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Nevermore 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
Hangman is coming down from the gallows
And I don't have very long
The jig is up, the news is out
They've finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Nevermore to go astray
This will be the end today of the wanted man
The wanted man
And I don't wanna go, no-no
Mama, don't let 'em take me!
Hey, hey
No, no, no, I can't go
The song "Renegade" by Styx tells the story of a man who has been on the run from the law for years and is now facing his demise. He is in fear for his life and he can hear his mother crying in the background. The lawman has finally caught up to him and his time is running out. The chorus declares that the "jig is up" and the "renegade who had it made" is going to be retrieved for a bounty. He is "nevermore to go astray" and "this will be the end today of the wanted man."
The desperation and fear in the lyrics are mirrored by the intensity and urgency of the music in the song. The guitar riffs and driving beat create a feeling of tension and unease, communicating the sense of a man on the brink of capture and death. The repetition of "the jig is up" in the chorus adds to the feeling of finality and the inevitability of the man's fate.
Overall, "Renegade" is a powerful and emotional song that conveys a sense of desperation, fear, and resignation in the face of fate. The lyrics are intricately woven with the music, creating a perfect combination of sound and meaning that has made the song a classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Mama, I'm in fear for my life
I'm terrified for my life and need help
From the long arm of the law
I'm running from the law
Lawman has put an end to my running
I'm caught and can't run anymore
And I'm so far from my home
I'm trapped in a faraway place
Oh, Mama, I can hear you a crying
I can hear you crying and feeling sad
You're so scared and all alone
You're scared and alone because of me
Hangman is coming down from the gallows
I'm facing the death penalty
And I don't have very long (yeah)
I'm running out of time
The jig is up, the news is out
I've been caught and it's public knowledge
They've finally found me
I've been discovered
The renegade who had it made
I was living well as a renegade
Retrieved for a bounty
I'm being returned for a reward or fee
Nevermore to go astray
I won't be able to escape again
This will be the end today of the wanted man
Today marks the end of my wanted status
Oh, Mama, I've been years on the lam
I've been on the run for years
And had a high price on my head
There's a bounty on me
Lawman said, "Get him dead or alive"
The law enforcement wants me captured or dead
Now it's for sure he'll see me dead
I'm certain to die
The judge will have revenge today
The judge is seeking revenge on me
On the wanted man
I am the wanted man
And I don't wanna go, no-no
I don't want to die
Mama, don't let 'em take me!
I'm begging my mother to save me
Hey, hey
Exclamation of desperation
No, no, no, I can't go
I can't die
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Tommy R. Shaw
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind