God's Gonna Cut You Down
Encyclopedia
"God's Gonna Cut You Down", also known as "Run On" and "Run On for a Long Time", is a traditional folk
song which has been recorded by numerous artists representing a variety of genres. The lyrics are a warning to sin
ners that no matter how hard they try, they will not avoid God
's judgment; in the chorus
, God tells the narrator of the song to
The song has, in the past, been modified to fit the boundaries of genres like country
, folk, gospel
and techno
. As "God's Gonna Cut You Down", it was performed by Odetta
on Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues
(1956) and Johnny Cash
on the posthumously released American V: A Hundred Highways
(2006). As "Run On", it was recorded, among others, by Elvis Presley
. A version incorporating sampled vocals by Bill Landford & The Landfordaires was included on Moby
's album Play
. The Blind Boys of Alabama also included the song on their Grammy
-winning album Spirit of the Century
in 2001. In 2007, Kevin Max
of dc Talk
covered the song as "Run on for a Long Time" with Chris Sligh
.
musician Moby
released "Run On" as the second single from his studio album Play
. Two versions of the CD were released. The first, with a red cover featuring a vertically-aligned mousetrap
, featured two remixes of "Run On" and two other tracks. The second, with a yellow cover featuring a horizontally-aligned mousetrap, contained four different "Run On" remixes.
The vocal content of the song comes from a 1943 recording of "Run On" by Bill Landford and the Landfordaires, and features a mix of house music
and instrumental music.
CD 2
, the instructor is self-conscious and not sure of her capabilities, and heaven is a self-help phone line. Eventually, it shows a scene of Moby dead in a parking lot, with another employee checking his pulse. It then concludes with a shot of Moby working in the same office, but it has a green light to it, and everyone is unkind and emotionally distant.
recorded a version of "God's Gonna Cut You Down" on American V: A Hundred Highways
in 2003, with an arrangement quite different from most known gospel versions of the song. The song is presented with a rhythmic stomp-clap downbeat, grim and pessimistic in its portrayal of a vengeful and uncompromising God, serving as a warning to sinners.
A music video
, directed by Tony Kaye
, was made for this version in late 2006. It featured a number of celebrities, including:
It also briefly features archive footage of Cash himself. The video was shot entirely in black and white. Since its release, both the song and video have seen moderate airplay.
The video won the 2008 Grammy Award
for Best Short Form Music Video.
The video was also covered by Rebel Son, Adding a little bit more upbeat sound to the song, Released on the "All my Demons" album.
The Johnny Cash version can also be heard in the following:
and his positive music association. Musician Sean Michel
covered the song during his audition on Season 6 of American Idol
. Matchbox Twenty
also used the song before playing "How Far We've Come
" on their "Exile in America" tour. The New Jersey rock band The Gaslight Anthem
have done a cover of this song as well. Recently, the Canadian rock band Three Days Grace
has used the song in the opening of their live shows. Bobbie Gentry
recorded a version as "Sermon" on her album The Delta Sweete. FireHouse guitarist Bill Leverty
recorded a version for his third solo project Deep South a tribute album of traditional songs that have been around for well over the last century. Tom Jones
recorded an uptempo version which appears on his 2010 album Praise & Blame.
The African American all women's singing group, "Sweet Honey in the Rock" also made a popular recording of the song called, "Run on for a Long Time" on their album entitled, "Still on the Journey".
American folk music
American folk music is a musical term that encompasses numerous genres, many of which are known as traditional music or roots music. Roots music is a broad category of music including bluegrass, country music, gospel, old time music, jug bands, Appalachian folk, blues, Cajun and Native American...
song which has been recorded by numerous artists representing a variety of genres. The lyrics are a warning to sin
Sin
In religion, sin is the violation or deviation of an eternal divine law or standard. The term sin may also refer to the state of having committed such a violation. Christians believe the moral code of conduct is decreed by God In religion, sin (also called peccancy) is the violation or deviation...
ners that no matter how hard they try, they will not avoid God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
's judgment; in the chorus
Refrain
A refrain is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song...
, God tells the narrator of the song to
The song has, in the past, been modified to fit the boundaries of genres like country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
, folk, gospel
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
and techno
Techno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid to late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a genre of music, was in 1988...
. As "God's Gonna Cut You Down", it was performed by Odetta
Odetta
Odetta Holmes, known as Odetta, was an American singer, actress, guitarist, songwriter, and a human rights activist, often referred to as "The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement". Her musical repertoire consisted largely of American folk music, blues, jazz, and spirituals...
on Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues
Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues
Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues is the debut solo album by American folk singer Odetta, first released in 1956.Like much of Odetta's early work, Ballads and Blues combines traditional songs with blues covers...
(1956) and Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
on the posthumously released American V: A Hundred Highways
American V: A Hundred Highways
-Track listing:#"Help Me" – 2:51#:Previously recorded by Kris Kristofferson for Jesus Was a Capricorn #"God's Gonna Cut You Down" – 2:38...
(2006). As "Run On", it was recorded, among others, by Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
. A version incorporating sampled vocals by Bill Landford & The Landfordaires was included on Moby
Moby
Richard Melville Hall , better known by his stage name Moby, is an American musician, DJ, and photographer. He is known mainly for his sample-based electronic music and his outspoken liberal political views, including his support of veganism and animal rights.Moby gained attention in the early...
's album Play
Play (Moby album)
Play is the fifth studio album by American electronica musician Moby, released on May 17, 1999 on V2 Records. While some of Moby's earlier work garnered critical and commercial success within the electronic dance music scene, Play was both a critical success and a commercial phenomenon...
. The Blind Boys of Alabama also included the song on their Grammy
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
-winning album Spirit of the Century
Spirit of the Century
Spirit of the Century is a pulp role-playing game published by Evil Hat Productions, and based on Evil Hat's FATE system. It is billed as a 'pick-up' game that can be played quickly, with little preparation....
in 2001. In 2007, Kevin Max
Kevin Max
Kevin Max Smith is an American singer, songwriter, and poet. He is best known for being a member of the Christian pop group dc Talk...
of dc Talk
Dc Talk
DC Talk , is a Grammy-winning Christian rock music trio. The group was formed in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1987 by Toby McKeehan, Michael Tait, and Kevin Max Smith. They have released five major studio albums together: DC Talk , Nu Thang , Free at Last , Jesus Freak , and Supernatural...
covered the song as "Run on for a Long Time" with Chris Sligh
Chris Sligh
Charles Christopher Sligh is an American singer; songwriter and producer who was a finalist on the sixth season of American Idol, finishing in tenth place.-Early years:...
.
Moby version
ElectronicElectronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
musician Moby
Moby
Richard Melville Hall , better known by his stage name Moby, is an American musician, DJ, and photographer. He is known mainly for his sample-based electronic music and his outspoken liberal political views, including his support of veganism and animal rights.Moby gained attention in the early...
released "Run On" as the second single from his studio album Play
Play (Moby album)
Play is the fifth studio album by American electronica musician Moby, released on May 17, 1999 on V2 Records. While some of Moby's earlier work garnered critical and commercial success within the electronic dance music scene, Play was both a critical success and a commercial phenomenon...
. Two versions of the CD were released. The first, with a red cover featuring a vertically-aligned mousetrap
Mousetrap
A mousetrap is a specialized type of animal trap designed primarily to catch mice; however, it may also trap other small animals. Mousetraps are usually set in an indoor location where there is a suspected infestation of rodents. There are various types of mousetrap, each with its own advantages...
, featured two remixes of "Run On" and two other tracks. The second, with a yellow cover featuring a horizontally-aligned mousetrap, contained four different "Run On" remixes.
The vocal content of the song comes from a 1943 recording of "Run On" by Bill Landford and the Landfordaires, and features a mix of house music
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
and instrumental music.
Track listing
CD 1- "Run On"- 3:33
- "Spirit"- 4:12
- "Running"- 7:04
CD 2
- "Run On (extended)"- 4:24
- "Sunday"- 5:00
- "Down Slow (full length)"- 5:56
Music video
The song's video involves Moby working at an office where everyone wears white. It then shows an earlier scene involving a workout instructor teaching a class when she passes out. Moby then comes in and puts an inhaler in her mouth. It then continues to show an earlier scene, going backwards to tell the entire story: the office Moby works in is heavenHeaven
Heaven, the Heavens or Seven Heavens, is a common religious cosmological or metaphysical term for the physical or transcendent place from which heavenly beings originate, are enthroned or inhabit...
, the instructor is self-conscious and not sure of her capabilities, and heaven is a self-help phone line. Eventually, it shows a scene of Moby dead in a parking lot, with another employee checking his pulse. It then concludes with a shot of Moby working in the same office, but it has a green light to it, and everyone is unkind and emotionally distant.
Johnny Cash version
Johnny CashJohnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
recorded a version of "God's Gonna Cut You Down" on American V: A Hundred Highways
American V: A Hundred Highways
-Track listing:#"Help Me" – 2:51#:Previously recorded by Kris Kristofferson for Jesus Was a Capricorn #"God's Gonna Cut You Down" – 2:38...
in 2003, with an arrangement quite different from most known gospel versions of the song. The song is presented with a rhythmic stomp-clap downbeat, grim and pessimistic in its portrayal of a vengeful and uncompromising God, serving as a warning to sinners.
A music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
, directed by Tony Kaye
Tony Kaye (director)
Tony Kaye is a director of films, music videos, advertisements and documentaries.Kaye has made several well-known music videos, including the video for "Runaway Train" by Soul Asylum, which won a Grammy Award; "Dani California" by Red Hot Chili Peppers; "What God Wants" by Roger Waters; and "Help...
, was made for this version in late 2006. It featured a number of celebrities, including:
- David Allan CoeDavid Allan CoeDavid Allan Coe is an American outlaw country music singer who achieved popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. He has written and performed over 280 original songs throughout his career...
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- Keith RichardsKeith RichardsKeith Richards is an English musician, songwriter, and founding member of the Rolling Stones. Rolling Stone magazine said Richards had created "rock's greatest single body of riffs", and placed him as the "10th greatest guitarist of all time." Fourteen songs written by Richards and songwriting...
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It also briefly features archive footage of Cash himself. The video was shot entirely in black and white. Since its release, both the song and video have seen moderate airplay.
The video won the 2008 Grammy Award
50th Grammy Awards
The 50th Annual Grammy Awards took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on February 10, 2008. Kanye West received the most nominations, with eight. Amy Winehouse was the big winner, winning a total of five awards. Herbie Hancock's River: The Joni Letters won Album of the Year,...
for Best Short Form Music Video.
The video was also covered by Rebel Son, Adding a little bit more upbeat sound to the song, Released on the "All my Demons" album.
The Johnny Cash version can also be heard in the following:
- In the opening of the second mission of the video game Battlefield 3Battlefield 3Battlefield 3 is a first-person shooter video game developed by EA Digital Illusions CE and published by Electronic Arts. The game was released in North America on October 25, 2011 and in Europe on October 28, 2011 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and EA Mobile confirmed a port for...
- In a 2011 commercial for Jeep Grand Cherokee
- In the 2007 documentary:The Most Hated Family in AmericaThe Most Hated Family in AmericaThe Most Hated Family in America is a 2007 BBC documentary film written and presented by Louis Theroux about the family at the core of the Westboro Baptist Church. The organisation is led by Fred Phelps and located in Topeka, Kansas...
. - As bumper musicBumper musicBumper music, or a bump, is a term used in the radio broadcasting industry to refer to short clips of signature or theme music used to buffer transitions between programming elements. Bumper music is commonly employed when a syndicated program takes a break for local station identification or...
for the Alex JonesAlex Jones (radio)Alexander Emerick "Alex" Jones is an American talk radio host, actor and filmmaker. His syndicated news/talk show The Alex Jones Show, based in Austin, Texas, airs via the Genesis Communication Network over 60 AM, FM, and shortwave radio stations across the United States and on the Internet...
radio show. - In promotional commercials for the hit CW series SupernaturalSupernatural (TV series)Supernatural is an American supernatural and horror television series created by Eric Kripke, which debuted on September 13, 2005 on The WB, and is now part of The CW's lineup. Starring Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester and Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester, the series follows the brothers as they...
. - In the trailer for the 2006 documentary Deliver Us from EvilDeliver Us from Evil (2006 film)Deliver Us from Evil is a documentary film directed by Amy J. Berg which tells the true story of Catholic priest Oliver O'Grady, who admitted to having molested and raped approximately 25 children in Northern California between the late 1970s and early 1990s...
. - As entrance music for UFC Fighters Spencer FisherSpencer FisherSpencer William Fisher is an American mixed martial artist from Brevard, North Carolina. He currently fights in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship promotion. He holds notable victories over Thiago Alves, Matt Wiman, Sam Stout, Jeremy Stephens, and Caol Uno...
and Jason Lambert, as well as professional wrestlers Tyson DuxTyson DuxTyson Moody is a Canadian professional wrestler, known by his ring name Tyson Dux , and is currently wrestling for various independent promotions. He is the nephew of martial artist Frank Dux-Career:...
, Brodie LeeBrodie LeeJon Huber is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Brodie Lee, who performs primarily in the Chikara, Dragon Gate, Dragon Gate USA, Evolve Wrestling and Jersey All Pro Wrestling professional wrestling promotions...
, and "The Southern States Outlaw" Michael Cross. - As the entrance song for left handed relief pitcherRelief pitcherA relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
Joe BeimelJoe BeimelJoseph Ronald Beimel is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-Amateur career:...
of the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. - As the entrance song for Lance BerkmanLance BerkmanWilliam Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball....
, right fielder of the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
. - As the entrance song for Arizona State pitcher Josh McAlister.
- EastEndersEastEndersEastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
used the recording in a 2008 promotional video for Max BranningMax BranningMax Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Jake Wood. He made his first appearance on 27 June 2006.-Backstory:Max is the fifth child and second son of Jim and Reenie Branning...
's Judgement Day. - During the opening sequence and closing credits of David RidgenDavid RidgenDavid Ridgen is an award-winning independent Canadian filmmaker. He has worked for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, MSNBC, NPR, TVOntario and others.Ridgen co-directed Canadian Images of Vietnam with his brother Robert Ridgen in 1990...
's documentary Mississippi Cold CaseMississippi Cold CaseMississippi Cold Case is a 2007 feature documentary produced by David Ridgen of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation about the Ku Klux Klan murders of two 19-year-old black youth in 1964 and a brother's quest for justice.-Moore and Dee murders:...
made for the Canadian Broadcasting CorporationCanadian Broadcasting CorporationThe Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
. - In the release trailer of the game Splinter Cell: Conviction.
- In 2010, the recording was used in the opening titles sequence of the ITVITVITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
(UK) series Father and SonFather and SonFather and Son is a memoir by poet and critic Edmund Gosse, which he subtitled "a study of two temperaments."Edmund had previously published a biography of his father,originally published anonymously....
. - As of June 16, 2010, a sample of the rhythm from this version is used as background music for a series of television commercials for the 2011 Jeep Grand CherokeeJeep Grand CherokeeThe Jeep Grand Cherokee is a Mid-size SUV produced by the Jeep division of Chrysler. While some other SUVs were manufactured with body on frame construction, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has always used a unibody chassis.- Development :...
; most notably the "Manifesto" advertisement. - In a video entitled "The Death of Liverpool FC" intended to highlight the protest against the clubs current ownership.
- Rapper RL sampled this version in his track, entitled "God's Gonna Cut Us Down", on his album "T.H.R.E.E."
- In a trailer for the Coen brothersCoen BrothersJoel David Coen and Ethan Jesse Coen known together professionally as the Coen brothers, are American filmmakers...
's film True GritTrue Grit (2010 film)True Grit is a 2010 American Western film written and directed by the Coen brothers. It is the second adaptation of Charles Portis' 1968 novel of the same name, which was previously filmed in 1969 starring John Wayne. This version stars Hailee Steinfeld as Mattie Ross and Jeff Bridges as U.S....
. - In December 2010 in a trailer for ESPNESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
's 30 for 3030 for 3030 for 30 is the umbrella title for a series of documentaries airing on ESPN and its sister networks. The series, which premiered in October 2009 and concluded in December 2010, chronicles 30 stories from the "ESPN era," each of which detail the issues, trends, people, teams, or events that...
film Pony Excess. - In March 2011 in the Being HumanBeing Human- Plot :The film portrays the experience of a single human soul, portrayed by Williams, through various incarnations. Williams is the only common actor throughout the stories that span man's history on Earth....
episode "Though the Heavens Fall," as performed by Detroit Social Club.
Other artists
The single hit number one on the Christian charts after being released by Rick HendrixRick Hendrix
Richard Binghames Hendrix Jr. , better known by the name Rick Hendrix, is an American entertainment promoter and songwriter of southern gospel, country music and pop music...
and his positive music association. Musician Sean Michel
Sean Michel
Sean Michel is a musician who hails from Bryant, Arkansas. He was initially known most widely for his appearance on American Idol Season 6. However, he toured with his band for at least two years prior to his appearance on the show, and continues to gain an increasing audience worldwide...
covered the song during his audition on Season 6 of American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
. Matchbox Twenty
Matchbox Twenty
Matchbox Twenty is an American rock band, formed in Orlando, Florida in 1995...
also used the song before playing "How Far We've Come
How Far We've Come
"How Far We've Come" is the lead single from Matchbox Twenty's retrospective collection, Exile on Mainstream, which was released on October 2, 2007. The music video premiered on VH1's Top 20 Countdown on September 1, 2007. The CD single comes with two live covers as B-sides; "Remedy" by The Black...
" on their "Exile in America" tour. The New Jersey rock band The Gaslight Anthem
The Gaslight Anthem
The Gaslight Anthem is an American rock band from New Brunswick, New Jersey, consisting of Brian Fallon , Alex Rosamilia , Alex Levine and Benny Horowitz...
have done a cover of this song as well. Recently, the Canadian rock band Three Days Grace
Three Days Grace
Three Days Grace is a Canadian rock band, formed in Norwood, Ontario, Canada in 1992, originally under the name Groundswell. After a breakup in late 1997, the band regrouped in the same year under its current name and with a line-up consisting of guitarist and lead vocalist Adam Gontier, drummer...
has used the song in the opening of their live shows. Bobbie Gentry
Bobbie Gentry
Roberta Lee Streeter , professionally known as Bobbie Gentry, is a former American singer-songwriter notable as one of the first female country artists to compose and produce her own material...
recorded a version as "Sermon" on her album The Delta Sweete. FireHouse guitarist Bill Leverty
Bill Leverty
William G. Leverty II is an American guitarist, who is a founding and current member of the American rock band FireHouse. Leverty, along with vocalist C.J. Snare, was responsible for writing many of the band's hit songs including "Don't Treat Me Bad"...
recorded a version for his third solo project Deep South a tribute album of traditional songs that have been around for well over the last century. Tom Jones
Tom Jones (singer)
Sir Thomas John Woodward, OBE , known by his stage name Tom Jones, is a Welsh singer.Since the mid 1960s, Jones has sung many styles of popular music – pop, rock, R&B, show tunes, country, dance, techno, soul and gospel – and sold over 100 million records...
recorded an uptempo version which appears on his 2010 album Praise & Blame.
Moby version: "Run On"
| Chart (1999) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
33 |
Johnny Cash version
| Chart (2006) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
77 |
The African American all women's singing group, "Sweet Honey in the Rock" also made a popular recording of the song called, "Run on for a Long Time" on their album entitled, "Still on the Journey".