In Cumberland, Kentucky, on a cool autumn evening, Billy lay in love with Mary Ann. She was a wretched judge's daughter. He was the 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'd do well to leave alone. She knew her 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 outrun the long arm of the law, no you can't outrun the long arm of the law. Billy placed his hand on Mary, and he felt the baby 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 send him far away for Mary Ann. 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 smile 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 and humid mine shack, a midwife pulled the sheet back, and placed a cool damp towel on Mary Ann. Billy's eyes were wide with wonder, from the spell he was under, when she placed the newborn baby in his hands. He didn't hear the sirens, just the baby 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 outrun the long arm of the law. Oh, you can't outrun the long arm of the law. You can hide out for a while, he says with a smile, but you can't outrun the long arm of the law. It 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, the judge just looked right through 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 life with Mary Anne. You can't outrun the long arm of the law. No, you can't outrun the long arm of the law. He said to Billy with a smile, I know you hid out for a while, but you can't outrun the long arm of the law. No, you can't outrun the long arm of the law.