The Maid Freed From The Gallows – anonymous

” Slack your rope, hangs-a-man,
O slack it for a while;
I think I see my father coming,
Riding many a mile. ”
” O father, have you brought me gold?
Or have you paid my fee?
Or have you come to see me hanging
On the gallows-tree? ”
” I have not brought you gold;
I have not paid your fee;
But I have come to see you hanging
On the gallows-tree. ”

” Slack your rope, hangs-a-man,
O slack it for a while;
I think I see my mother coming,
Riding many a mile. ”
” O mother, have you brought me gold?
Or have you paid my fee?
Or have you come to see me hanging
On the gallows-tree? ”
” I have not brought you gold;
I have not paid your fee;
But I have come to see you hanging
On the gallows-tree. ”
(And so on for brother, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, etc.)

” Slack your rope, hangs-a-man,
O slack it for a while;
I think I see my true-love coming
Riding many a mile. ”
” O true-love, have you brought me gold?
Or have you paid my fee?
Or have you come to see me hanging
On the gallows-tree? ”
” Yes, I have brought you gold;
Yes, I have paid your fee;
Nor have I come to see you hanging
On the gallows-tree. ”

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song (4:07) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2YzDPL_osg

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