Law man 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
They finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Never more to go astray
This'll be the end today
Of the wanted man
Lawman said 'Get him dead or alive' and it's for sure he'll see me dead
Dear Mama I can hear you cryin', you're so scared and all alone
Hangman is comin' down from the gallows and I don't have very long
They finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Never more to go astray
The judge'll have revenge today
On the wanted man
Hangman is comin' down from the gallows and I don't have very long
They finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Never more to go astray
This'll be the end today
Of the wanted man
Wanted Man
And i no ho oh oh no no
Hey hey

This song was written in 1978, by Tommy Shaw. He has stated in interviews that was a song that just came to him one day, fully formed. Originally he wrote it on piano, and it was very different than how it came to be recorded. The a capella opening was originally three-part harmony, and the song itself was a lot slower, more dirge-like. James "JY" Young originally hated the song. However, as the band re-worked it, he came to love it so much that he asked Tommy if he could play the lead guitar solo. As far as troubles with the law, Tommy has stated that he never has had any issues with the law; the song just came to him as fictional storytelling. Since 2002, "Renegade" has been the rallying anthem of the Pittsburg Steelers.

anyone know if this song has any literal personal meaning to any of the bandmembers, or what the inspiration behind the song is?

this song reminds me of david

this song reminds me of groovin in the car

I love this song when I first started listening to 70's music this was one of the first songs that I really liked the other one was "Cold as Ice" Forieginer

I always thought it was noose and not news

you rednecks are all wrong, its about runnin' from the law

my favorite styx song next to mr roboto

STYX fucking rocks.

Drugs are the inspiration behind every Styx song. hit a few joints with them and get 'em high. you'll see... they start playing guitar like crazy. Besides that... I like the song. I can't believe- wait... yes I can. All the way back in 04. Chris Daughtry did an awesome cover of this song on American Idol.