About the song
“God’s Gonna Cut You Down,” a traditional American folk song known by various titles including “God Almighty’s Gonna Cut You Down,” “God’s Gonna Cut ‘Em Down,” “Run On,” and “Sermon,” carries a timeless message of divine judgment for evildoers. This track has traversed multiple musical genres since its inception, including country, folk, alternative rock, electronic, and even black metal, reflecting its enduring relevance and adaptability.
Originally released as “Run On For A Long Time” in 1949 by Bill Landford & The Landfordaires, the song gained traction and evolved under different titles over the decades. Odetta’s rendition on *Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues* (1956) and Johnny Cash’s posthumous release on *American V: A Hundred Highways* (2006) cemented its place in folk music lore. Each artist brought a unique interpretation, infusing the song with their distinct style while preserving its haunting moralistic core.
Marilyn Manson, known for his provocative musical persona, released a version titled “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” as a non-album single in 2019, adding another layer to the song’s diverse repertoire of interpretations.
The song’s broad appeal is underscored by its covers by renowned artists such as Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, and the Blind Boys of Alabama, among many others. Each rendition adds a new dimension to the narrative of impending divine retribution, resonating with audiences across generations.
Lyrically, “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” serves as a stark warning, reminding listeners of the consequences of immoral actions and the inevitable accountability before a higher power. Its themes of judgment, repentance, and redemption continue to strike a chord in popular culture, ensuring its place as a staple in the American folk music canon.
Through its evolution and diverse interpretations, “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” remains a testament to the enduring power of folk music to convey timeless moral lessons and provoke contemplation on the human condition.
Video
Lyrics
… Oh my God
… 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 down 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
… Oh yeah
Cut him down
Cut him down
Cut him down