"God's Gonna Cut You Down" (also known as "God Almighty's Gonna Cut You Down", "God's Gonna Cut 'Em Down", "Run On" and "Sermon") is a traditional American folk song.[1] The track has been recorded in a variety of genres, including country, folk, alternative rock, electronic and black metal.[2] The lyrics warn evildoers that they cannot avoid God's eventual judgment.[3]
As "Run On For A Long Time", it was released in 1949 by Bill Landford & The Landfordaires.[4][5] 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). Marilyn Manson also used this title for a non-album single in 2019.[6] As "Run On", it has been recorded by Elvis Presley and Tom Jones, and the Blind Boys of Alabama. The song has been covered by many other artists.[1]