Freed From the Gallows

Cat. #1174 (MFH #248) - As sung by O.B. Campbell, Vinita, Oklahoma on August 9, 1971

VERSE 1
Hangman, hangman, slack your rope
Slack it full an' free
For I think I see my Father coming
Away over yonder

VERSE 2
Father, O Father, have you brought me gold
Or have you paid my fee
Or have you come to see me hanged
On this green willow tree

VERSE 3
Son, O Son, I've not brought you gold
Nor have I paid your fee
But I have come to see you hanged
On this green willow tree

VERSE 4
Hangman, hangman, slack your rope
Slack it full an' free
For I think I see my Mother coming
Away over yonder

VERSE 5
Mother, O Mother, have you brought me gold
Or have you paid my fee
Or have you come to see me hanged
On this green willow tree

VERSE 6
Son, O Son, I've not brought you gold
Nor have I paid your fee
But I have come to see you hanged
On this green willow tree

VERSE 7
Hangman, hangman, slack your rope
Slack it full an' free
For I think I see my Sister coming
Away over yonder

VERSE 8
Sister, O Sister, have you brought me gold
Or have you paid my fee
Or have you come to see me hanged
On this green willow tree

VERSE 9
Brother, O Brother I've not brought you gold
Nor have I paid your fee
But I have come to see you hanged
On this green willow tree

VERSE 10
Hangman, hangman, slack your rope
Slack it full an' free
For I think I see my Brother coming
Away over yonder

VERSE 11
Brother, O Brother, have you brought me gold
Or have you paid my fee
Or have you come to see me hanged
On this green willow tree

VERSE 12
Brother, O Brother I've not brought you gold
Nor have I paid your fee
But I have come to see you hanged
On this green willow tree

VERSE 13
Hangman, hangman, slack your rope
Slack it full an' free
For I think I see my true love coming
Away over yonder

VERSE 14
True love, O true love have you brought me gold
Or have you paid my fee
Or have you come to see me hanged
On this green willow tree

VERSE 15
True love, O true love I brought you gold
An' I have paid your fee
I have not come to see you hanged
On this green willow tree

VARIANTS:
0216 Hangman
0290 Hangman, Hangman
0778 Hang Me, O Hang Me
1302 Hangman
1510 Hangman

OTHER COLLECTIONS:
Child: 95 The Maid Freed From the Gallows
Randolph: I-24 Hold Your Hands, Old Men
Belden: p. 66 The Maid Freed From the Gallows
Brown: II-30 The Maid Freed From the Gallows

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