Cash, Johnny. "God's Gonna Cut You Down” Rec. 2003. American V: A Hundred Highways. Johnny Cash. Rick Ruben, 2006. CD.
“God’s Gonna Cut You Down” or “Run On” or “Run On for a Long Time” is a folk song that has been recorded by many different artists but Johnny Cash brings an edge to the song that many other artists couldn’t match. The song’s message is that if you work “in the dark against your fellow man… sooner or later god’ll cut you down” meaning that all evil deeds will be punished and you can never escape the dark things you’ve done.
The theme of light vs. dark is prevalent in the entire song. While darkness is personified by men such as the “midnight rider” and the “long tongue liar”, light is represented by the ultimate power of good, in this case God. Symbolizing that the righteousness of God is more powerful than the darkness of men and that in the end the light will prevail and cut down the darkness.
You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God'll cut you down
Sooner or later God'll cut you down
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
Tell 'em that God's gonna cut 'em down
Well my goodness gracious let me tell you the news
My head's been wet with the midnight dew
I've been down on bended knee talkin' to the man from Galilee
He spoke to me in the voice so sweet
I thought I heard the shuffle of the angel's feet
He called my name and my heart stood still
When he said, "John go do My will!"
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
Tell 'em that God's gonna cut 'em down
You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God'll cut you down
Sooner or later God'll cut you down
Well you may throw your rock and hide your hand
Workin' in the dark against your fellow man
But as sure as God made black and white
What's done in the dark will be brought to the light
You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God'll cut you down
Sooner or later God'll cut you down
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 you down
Tell 'em that God's gonna cut you down
Tell 'em that God's gonna cut you down
