In Cumberland Kentucky

On a cool hot evening

Billy lay in love with Marrianne

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'll go hell to leave alone

She knew his dad so well

She knew she couldn't tell

But the truth was bound in show before too long



Their love had started growing on its own

You can't out run the long arm of the law

No, you can't out run the long arm of the law

Billy placed his hand on Mary

And he felt the baby's moving

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 sent 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 mid-white pulled the sheet back

And placed cool damp towel on Marianne

Billy's eyes were wide with wonder

From the spell he was under

When she placed the new born baby in his hands

He didn't hear the siren

Just a baby's 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 out run the long arm of the law

No, you can't out run the long arm of the law

You can hide out for a while

He says with a smile

But you can't out run 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

Holding Billy's child

When they brought Billy to him

The judge just look right thru 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 live with Marianne



You can't out run the long arm of the law

No, you can't out run the long arm of the law

He said to Billy with a smile

I know you hide out for a while

Ah but you can't out run the long arm of the law

No you can't out run the long arm of the law