Laying Down The Law
Cloven Hoof Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I guard these sleazy streets,
From gambling joint to speakeasy.
No back alley hoodlum is gonna muscle in on my territory.
The gangster and machine gun is public enemy number one,
In Chicago where the innocent pay protection to stay free.

Well nobody gets hurt,
If he walks the straight and narrow.
Bend the arrow out of line,
And you have to reckon with me.

[Chorus:]
Cause I'm laying down,
Laying down the law.
I'm laying down,
Laying down the law.

Behind every street corner,
There's vermin crawling out of the woodwork.
Some low down punk with a shot gun,
Itchin to fill ya full of lead.
Wine, Women and bootleg whiskey,
Threatens the basis of society.
Side walks are paved with blood,
Who couldn't keep their head.

Sin city never sleeps,
You better learn to
Pull no punches.
Eyes to the rear,
Cause down here...
They play for keeps.

[Chorus:]

You say I'm dreaming,
To believe in a better way,
For this rat trap we call home.
I'm the enforcer




Making sure that crime don't pay...
And I'm not alone!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Cloven Hoof's song Laying Down The Law paint a vivid picture of a corrupt city in which the innocent pay for protection from gangsters, machine guns, and back alley hoodlums. The singer, who speaks from the first person point of view, guards the "sleazy streets" from gambling joints to speakeasies, and anyone who "bends the arrow out of line" will have to "reckon with me." The chorus repeats the singer's message of laying down the law, establishing themselves as the enforcer in this chaotic city.


The song's imagery is distinctly American and feels like it is set in the era of Prohibition when alcohol was banned, but its themes are timeless. The song is a commentary on power and corruption, and the lengths individuals will go to maintain their grip on it. As a listener, you can infer that the singer is a vigilante of sorts, attempting to keep his city safe by any means necessary. However, he is not invincible, and the lyrics suggest a weariness about the constant violence and danger that surround him.


In "Laying Down The Law," Cloven Hoof delivers a powerful message about the consequences of corruption and the importance of upholding the law. It is a song that resonates as much today as it did when it was released, offering a reflection on society's failings and the struggle to maintain order in the midst of chaos.


Line by Line Meaning

I guard these sleazy streets,
I patrol the unsavory parts of the city,


From gambling joint to speakeasy.
From places where people gamble to illegal drinking establishments,


No back alley hoodlum is gonna muscle in on my territory.
I won't allow any criminal to take over my area of control,


The gangster and machine gun is public enemy number one,
Gang leaders and their guns are the biggest problem,


In Chicago where the innocent pay protection to stay free.
In Chicago, innocent people have to pay criminals to avoid being harmed.


Well nobody gets hurt,
As long as people follow the law,


If he walks the straight and narrow.
If someone behaves ethically and legally,


Bend the arrow out of line,
But if they deviate or break the rules,


And you have to reckon with me.
They will have to face the consequences from me.


Cause I'm laying down,
I am establishing,


Laying down the law.
the laws and regulations for this area.


Behind every street corner,
At every turn,


There's vermin crawling out of the woodwork.
There are rats and other pests emerging from hidden places.


Some low down punk with a shot gun,
There are some dishonorable people with weapons,


Itchin to fill ya full of lead.
who are eager to shoot and kill anyone.


Wine, Women and bootleg whiskey,
Illegal alcoholic drinks and the corruption that comes with them,


Threatens the basis of society.
are endangering the very foundation of our society.


Side walks are paved with blood,
The streets are deadly and people die often.


Who couldn't keep their head.
Those who weren't careful or prepared.


Sin city never sleeps,
The city of sin is always active,


You better learn to
You must be ready to


Pull no punches.
fight with everything you have.


Eyes to the rear,
Watching everything around you,


Cause down here...
Because in this part of town...


They play for keeps.
people are willing to kill without hesitation.


You say I'm dreaming,
You may say I am unrealistic,


To believe in a better way,
For believing there is a way to improve our situation,


For this rat trap we call home.
In this place we call home, which is so full of traps and danger.


I'm the enforcer
I am responsible for enforcing,


Making sure that crime don't pay...
the law and ensuring that criminals don't profit,


And I'm not alone!
And I have others who support me!




Contributed by Christopher E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Juan Valdez

Caught these guys on Mother’s Day this year playing to maybe 15 people including bar staff. Absolutely fucking killer show!

RainbowBlues13

Heard this on the radio probably waaaay back when it came out, taped it at the time, but that's all I've ever had it on. Have always loooooved this song though and am now soooooo happy to find this on here! Just hope it stays and doesn't get deleted like a lot of others. Gonna definitely be listening to this shitloads more now! Wicked riffs and solos!! Thank you heaps!!

Roberto Calcini

i love NWOBHM bands ! thank templarsvision to load this wonderful music . i wish some bands can put outside music like this nowadays bust i think is just impossible... or just i am nostalgic ? well is good we can always have the masterpiece of the past ! british metal rules !!!

jwatson626

Over the last 4 months I've probably been here about 100 times to listen to this song. JW

ISIHA Clue

The good news is that the album is now on iTunes!

Adam Boon

Great song, guitar sounds awesome \m/

loraw temotei

Laying down the Law is awesome Cloven Hoof are the greatest band on the planet! :)

MARINERMINI

this album is a fucking masterpiece of it's kind!!!!!

forwardthequeers

I bought this cd back when it still cost ten dollars. Thank you scenesters for making this and other 5-10 dollar albums cost 100.

LordNecroflesh79

I have this song on the metal inferno cassette from decades ago.

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