Styx – ‘Renegade’

The jig is up!

Styx was a band that had a little something for everyone. If you were into the theatricality that came along with Dennis DeYoung as the frontman, then ‘Come Sail Away’ is perfect for you. However, if you’re into more hard rock mixed with classic elements, ‘Renegade’ is definitely the right choice!

I love ‘Renegade’ – it’s one of my favorites because it’s got a driving beat and former vocalist Dennis DeYoung had a vocal range that can’t be matched. As much as you want to empathize with the song’s narrator, it’s a song that you can’t help but move to.

Like most of Styx’s work, this outlaw themed song tells a story:

‘Renegade’ tells the story of a man who has committed associated theft and is heading to the gallows to die. Enclosed in the lyrics are a letter to his mother.

Cool, right? I love when bands are able to take sad or depressing subject matter and breathe life into it to make you forget how sad it actually is!

+ Renegade lyrics +

Oh mama, I’m in fear for my life from the long arm of the law
Lawman has put an end to my runnin’, 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

The jig is up, the news is out
They’ve 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

Oh mama, I been years on the lam,
And had high price on my head
Lawman said, “Get ’em dead or alive!”
Now it’s 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

The jig is up, the news is out
They’ve finally found me
The renegade, who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Never more to go astray
The judge will have revenge today
On the wanted man

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

The jig is up, the news is out
They’ve 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
The wanted man!

And I don’t wanna go
Oh, no

Oh, mama, don’t let him take me
Hey, woo
Wuh!
Oh, no, no, oh, no