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"Run On" was released as a single by the electronic artist Moby. It was the second single released from his album Play. This was also the second single charting at #33 on the UK Singles Chart. Two versions of the CD were released. The first, with a red cover featuring a vertically-aligned mousetrap, featured two remixes of "Run On" and two other tracks. The second, with a yellow cover featuring a horizontally-aligned mousetrap, contained four different "Run On" remixes.
"Run On" is a traditional folk song which also known as "God's Gonna Cut You Down". Mobys remix version features vocals from Bill Landford & the Landfordaires song Run for a Long Time. The lyrics are a warning to sinners that no matter how hard they try, they will not avoid God's judgement; in the chorus, God Himself tells the narrator of the song to:
"Go tell that long tongue liar,
go and tell that midnight rider,
tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter,
tell 'em that God's gonna cut 'em down"
with some versions inserting slight variations in lyrics.
The song has, in the past, been modified to fit the boundaries of genres like country, folk, gospel and techno. As "God's Gonna Cut You Down", it was performed by Odetta God's Gonna Cut You Down on Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues (1956) and Johnny Cash on the posthumously released American V: A Hundred Highways (2006). As "Run On", it was recorded, among others, by Elvis Presley. The Blind Boys of Alabama also included Run On For A Long Time on their Grammy-winning album "Spirit of the Century" in 2001.
The vocal content of the song comes from a 1943 recording of "Run On" by Bill Landford and the Landfordaires, and features music, a mix of house music and instrumental music.
Lyrics:
Lord God Almighty let me tell the news,
my head got wet in midnight dew.
Great God i been down on my bended knees,
talking to a man from galilee.
Michael spoke and he sound so sweet,
I thought i heard the shuffle of angels' feet.
He put one hand upon my head,
great God Almighty let me tell you what He said.
[bridge:]
Go tell that lonesome liar,
go tell that midnight rider,
tell the gamblin', ramblin' backslider,
tell them God Almighty gonna cut 'em down.
[chorus:]
You might run on for a long time,
run on, dunkin' and dodgin',
run on, children, for a long time,
let me tell you God Almighty gonna cut you down.
You might throw your rock, hide your hand,
work in the dark with your fellow men,
sure as God made you rich and poor,
you're gonna reap just what you sow.
[chorus] x3
You might run on for a long time,
run on, dunkin' and dodgin',
run on, children, for a long time,
let me tell you God Almighty gonna cut you down.
Some people go to church just to signify,
trying to make a date with a neighbor's wife.
Brother let me tell you just as sure as you're born,
you better leave that woman alone.
[bridge]
[chorus] x8
Run On
Moby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My head got wet in midnight dew
Great God I been down on my bended knees
Talking to a man from galilee
Michael spoke and he sound so sweet
I thought I heard the shuffle of angels' feet
He put one hand upon my head
Great God Almighty let me tell you what He said
Go tell that lonesome liar
Go tell that midnight rider
Tell the gamblin' ramblin' backslider
Tell them God Almighty gonna cut 'em down
[Chorus]
You might run on for a long time
Run on, ducking and dodging
Run on, children, for a long time
Let me tell you God Almighty gonna cut you down
You might throw your rock, hide your head
Work in the dark with your fellow men
Sure as God made you rich and poor
You're gonna reap just what you sow
[Chorus: x3]
Some people go to church just to signify
Trying to make a date with a neighbor's wife
Brother let me tell you just as sure as you're born
You better leave that woman alone
[Chorus: x8]
Moby's song "Run On" is a spiritual, gospel-inspired song that incorporates a call and response structure in its chorus, indicating its roots in early Black American musical culture. The song features a narrator who has had a religious experience in which they receive guidance and are tasked with passing on a message to those who have strayed from God's path. The reference to "bended knees" suggests a scene of supplication and prayer, while the mention of "Michael" alludes to the biblical figure Michael the Archangel, who is often associated with leading armies of angels in battle. The reference to "Galilee" also harkens back to biblical times, as this was the region where Jesus and his disciples conducted much of their ministry.
The song's chorus warns those who are living a life that does not align with God's teachings that they cannot escape divine judgment. An intriguing aspect of the chorus is how it enlists the audience to participate in this message, with the call and response structure reinforcing the idea of a communal, shared experience. The singer is telling the audience that they can try to run on, ducking and dodging judgment, but ultimately they will be "cut down" for their actions. The descriptions of those who should be warned against range from the "lonesome liar" to the "midnight rider," suggesting the many different forms that wayward behavior can take.
The final verse offers a cautionary tale about the dangers of straying too far from God's path. The use of the phrase "trying to make a date with a neighbor's wife" suggests the singer is speaking to men who do not respect the sacredness of marriage and the commitment to fidelity it requires. The repetition of the chorus at the end of the song underscores the urgency of this message, as all are called to heed it before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord God Almighty let me tell the news
I feel the need to share some important information regarding my experience with the divine.
My head got wet in midnight dew
I had a spiritual encounter in the middle of the night that left me feeling renewed.
Great God I been down on my bended knees
I have humbly prayed to the higher power and sought guidance and strength.
Talking to a man from galilee
In my prayers, I communicated with Jesus Christ who is believed to have come down from the town of Galilee.
Michael spoke and he sound so sweet
I heard an angelic voice, perhaps belonging to the archangel Michael, which was soothing and comforting.
I thought I heard the shuffle of angels' feet
I sensed a divine presence around me, as if the angels were summoned by my prayers.
He put one hand upon my head
In my spiritual encounter, I felt a divine touch that brought me peace and assurance.
Great God Almighty let me tell you what He said
The divine message I received was so powerful and important that I must share it with the world.
Go tell that lonesome liar
Spread the word to those who deceive others, often in loneliness or solitude.
Go tell that midnight rider
Inform the one who wanders at night in search of trouble or excitement.
Tell the gamblin' ramblin' backslider
Convey a message to those who continuously engage in risky behaviors, particularly those who have turned away from their faith.
Tell them God Almighty gonna cut 'em down
Warn those who disobey or defy God that they will face consequences and judgment for their actions.
You might run on for a long time
You may continue to live in this world for a long while, evading repercussions for your choices and actions.
Run on, ducking and dodging
Keep running and avoiding obstacles, even if it means hiding from your problems.
Run on, children, for a long time
Continue to evade responsibility, for a substantial period of time, even if it means not facing the truth.
Let me tell you God Almighty gonna cut you down
Be aware of the ultimate judgment that awaits you, as your actions will ultimately determine your fate.
You might throw your rock, hide your head
You may hurl accusations, but then run away, refusing to accept the consequences of your actions.
Work in the dark with your fellow men
Engage in corrupt or malicious behavior with others, under the cover of darkness or secrecy.
Sure as God made you rich and poor
Be mindful that God is the creator and the overseer of all, thereby creating a fair and equitable world.
You're gonna reap just what you sow
Your actions will result in consequences or rewards that fit those actions.
Some people go to church just to signify
There are those who attend worship services without truly seeking spiritual guidance and just to put up a show.
Trying to make a date with a neighbor's wife
Some individuals attend church to intentionally pursue an adulterous relationship.
Brother let me tell you just as sure as you're born
Listen to my words, as they are as certain as life itself.
You better leave that woman alone
Avoid getting involved with someone else's spouse, as it is unacceptable and can lead to repercussions.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: RICHARD MELVILLE HALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@huseyinbicen169
Lord God Almighty let me tell the news
My head got wet in midnight dew
Great God I been down on my bended knees
Talking to a man from galilee
Michael spoke and he sound so sweet
I thought I heard the shuffle of angels' feet
He put one hand upon my head
Great God Almighty let me tell you what He said
Go tell that lonesome liar
Go tell that midnight rider
Tell the gamblin' ramblin' backslider
Tell them God Almighty gonna cut 'em down
You might run on for a long time
Run on, ducking and dodging
Run on, children, for a long time
Let me tell you God Almighty gonna cut you down
You might throw your rock, hide your head
Work in the dark with your fellow men
Sure as God made you rich and poor
You're gonna reap just what you sow
Some people go to church just to signify
Trying to make a date with a neighbor's wife
Brother let me tell you just as sure as you're born
You better leave that woman alone
You might run on for a long time
Run on, ducking and dodging
Run on, children, for a long time
Let me tell you God Almighty gonna cut you down
You might run on for a long time
Run on, ducking and dodging
Run on, children, for a long time
Let me tell you God Almighty gonna cut you down
You might run on for a long time
Run on, ducking and dodging
Run on, children, for a long time
Let me tell you God Almighty gonna cut you down
You might run on for a long time
Run on, ducking and dodging
Run on, children, for a long time
Let me tell you God Almighty gonna cut you down
You might run on for a long time
Run on, ducking and dodging
Run on, children, for a long time
Let me tell you God Almighty gonna cut you down
You might run on for a long time
Run on, ducking and dodging
Run on, children, for a long time
Let me tell you God Almighty gonna cut you down
You might run on for a long time
Run on, ducking and dodging
Run on, children, for a long time
Let me tell you God Almighty gonna cut you down
You might run on for a long time
Run on, ducking and dodging
Run on, children, for a long time
Let me tell you God Almighty gonna cut you down
@dorindakatz4684
I'm the girl in the purple pants during the workout scene...Moby was the most down to earth and kind person I had ever met.
@sarahmitchell8288
Damn, that’s cool I bet he really was too
@RetroDawn
Awesome to hear and that you commented on the vid!
@michaelperkovic9272
pics or it didn't happen!😉
@larguello1
So cool to have had that exerience
@thor2003
wow, nice to meet you!
@danielellis6094
My dad used to bump Play when I was a kid and this song in particular is forever embedded in my brain as a fond memory before things went sour. My family eventually fell apart, but this song will always remind me of a time when my parents didn't argue and we were all together.
Run on, ducking and dodging. One day God Almighty gonna cut you down.
@jkllcarpenter
I'm glad you can pull a good memory out of your childhood through this song.
@kmindecisive
Forgot about this song until someone stopped at red light playing it full blast. Thank you sir. ❤
@karrenyandle1160
If you put headphones on and turn up volume and listen to moby it transports you to a total inner peace.