Bluegrass Messengers

 Hangman- Osterloh (MO) 1975 Hunter F

[From: Missouri State; Max Hunter Folk Song Collection, Cat. #1510 (MFH #248).

R. Matteson 2015]


Hangman - As sung by Sam Osterloh, Freistatt, Missouri on March 12, 1975

VERSE 1
Slack your rope, hangman
Slack it for awhile
I think I see my Father comin'
Ridin' for many a mile
Have you brought me hope?
Or have you paid my fee?
Or have you come to see me
Hangin', from the gallows tree?
I have not brought you hope
I have not paid your fee
Yes, I have come to see you
Hangin', from the gallows tree

VERSE 2
Slack your rope, hangman
Slack it for awhile
I think I see my Mother comin'
Ridin' for many a mile
Have you brought me hope?
Or have you paid my fee?
Or have you come to see me
Hangin' from the gallows tree?
I have not brought you hope
I have not paid your fee
Yes, I have come to see you
Hangin' from the gallows tree

VERSE 3
Slack your rope, hangman
Slack it for awhile
I think I see my Brother comin'
Ridin' for many a mile
Have you brought me hope?
Or have you paid my fee?
Or have you come to see me
Hangin' from the gallows tree?
I have not brought you hope
I have not paid your fee
Yes, I have come to see you
Hangin' from the gallows tree

VERSE 4
Slack your rope, hangman
Slack it for awhile
I think I see my true love comin'
Ridin' for many a mile
Have you brought me hope?
Or have you paid my fee?
Or have you come to see me
Hangin' from the gallows tree?
Yes, I have brought you hope
Yes, I have paid your fee
Cause I have come to save your hangin'
From the gallows tree
From the gallows tree