In Cumberland Kentucky on a cool hot evening

Billy lay in love with Marrianne

She was 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 some you'll go hell to leave alone

She knew his dad so well, she knew she couldn't tell

But the truth was bound to 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 place 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-wife pulled the sheet back

And placed a 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 lvoe 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 pround, 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 this 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