John Jacob Niles — The Hangman, Or the Maid Freed from the Gallows lyrics

Lyrics

Hangman, hangman, slack you line,
Slack a just a while,
'Cause I think I see my papa comin',
Traveling many a mile,
Traveling many a mile.
«Papa, Papa, has you brought gold
For to pay this hangman’s fee?
Or did you come to see me swingin'
High from this hangman’s tree?»
«Daughter, daughter, I brought no gold
For to pay this hangman’s fee
But I come to see you swingin', swingin'
High from this hangman’s tree.»
Hangman, hangman, slack you line,
Slack a just a while,
'Cause I think I see my mama comin',
Traveling many a mile.
«Mama, mama, did you bring gold
For to pay this hangman’s fee?
Or did you come to see me swingin'
High from this hangman’s tree?»
«Daughter, daughter, I brought you no gold
For to pay this hangman’s fee
But I come to see you swingin', swingin'
High from this hangman’s tree.»
Hangman, hangman, slack you line,
Slack a just a while,
'Cause I think I see my lover comin',
Traveling many a mile.
«Sweetheart, Sweetheart, did you bring gold
For to pay this hangman’s fee?
Or did you come to see me swingin'
High from this hangman’s tree?»
«Darling, Darling, I brought you that gold,
For to pay this hangman’s fee,
'Cause I don’t want to see you swinging', swinging',
High from this hangman’s tree».