Hang 'er, Oh, Hang 'er- Thomas (AR) 1952 Parler D
[Title should perhaps be "Hanger, Oh Hanger." From Ozark Folk Songs online. Coll. by Irene Carlisle; Reel 117, Item 4; Transcribed by M.C. Parler.
R. Matteson 2015]
Hang 'er, Oh, Hang 'er - Sung by Mrs. James Thomas; Little Rock, Ark. May 17, 1952
Hang 'er, oh hang 'er, go slacken the line,
But wait a little while,
For yonder comes my brother dear,
He's rode for many a mile.
He's rode for many a mile.
Brother, oh brother, have you brought your gold,
And come to buy me free,"
Or have you come to see me hang
Upon the sycamore tree?
Upon the sycamore tree?
Sister, dear sister, I've brought no gold
Nor come to buy you free,
But I have come to see you hang
Upon the sycamore tree,
Upon the sycamore tree.
(These three stanzas are repeated, substituting sister, father, and lover, all of whom have come see her hang. Then )
Hanger, oh hanger, go slacken the line,
But wait a little while,
For yonder comes my mother dear,
She's rode for many a mile,
She's rode for many a mile.
Mother, dear mother, have you brought your gold,
And come to buy me free,
Or have you come to see me hang
Upon the sycamore tree,
Upon the sycamore tree.
Daughter, dear daughter, I've brought my gold,
And come to buy you free,
And hang you can't, oh hang you shan't
Upon the sycamore tree,
Upon the sycamore tree.