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RenegadeStyx

Released: January 8, 1979

Songwriter: Tommy Shaw

Producer: Chuck Panozzo Dennis DeYoung James Young John Panozzo Tommy Shaw

"Renegade" is a 1979 hit song recorded by the American rock band Styx. It was on their album Pieces of Eight. It reached #16 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song is a first-person narrative of an outlaw, captured for a bounty, who recognizes that he is about to be executed for his criminal activities. The execution will be by hanging, as the outlaw laments, "Hangman is coming down from the gallows and I don't have very long." Some pressings of the single were made with translucent, red vinyl. Read more on Last.fm.

Length: 4:13

[Intro]
Oh Mama, I'm in fear for my life 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-cryin', you're so scared and all alone
Hangman is comin' down from the gallows, and I don't have very long
(Yeah!)

[Chorus]
The jig is up, the news is out
They finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Nevermore to go astray
This'll be the end today
Of the wanted man

[Verse]
Oh Mama, I've been years on the lam and had a high price on my head
Lawman said, "Get him dead or alive;" I was for sure he'll see me dead
Dear Mama, I can hear you a-cryin', you're so scared and all alone
Hangman is comin' down from the gallows, and I don't have very long

[Chorus]
The jig is up, the news is out
They 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

[Guitar Solo]

[Bridge]
Oh Mama, I'm in fear for my life from the long arm of the law
Hangman is comin' down from the gallows, and I don't have very long

[Chorus]
The jig is up, the news is out
They finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Nevermore to go astray
This'll be the end today
Of the wanted man
The wanted man

[Outro]
And I don't wanna go, no, no
Mama, don't let 'em take me!
Hey, hey
No, no, no, I can't go

Styx

Styx is a rock band from Chicago formed in 1970. They enjoyed great success with pop rock and hard rock songs, and became famous for their power ballads and album releases of the mid 1970s and early 80s.

The band has gone through some famously nasty internal struggles, drug problems, illnesses and deaths, but continues to perform today (with a significantly altered line-up). Tommy Shaw, from Montgomery, AL, left but returned to the band. Drummer John Panozzo developed a debilitating drinking problem and ultimately died. Dennis DeYoung developed an acute case of photosensitivity, and he left the band. They fought among themselves for control of the band name. Glen Burtnik also left and returned, this time on bass, to replace Chuck Panozzo (John’s brother), who had also left the band. (whew.)

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