The Gallows Tree- Burnside (WV) 1959 Gainer
[From: Folk Songs from West Virginia, Gainer, 1975. If any versions in his book are legitimate this is a possibility. His notes follow.
R. Matteson 2015]
THE GALLOWS TREE
(CHILD 95, "THE MAID FREED FROM THE GALLOWS")
In the summer of 1959, as I was driving along a country road at Dry Creek, Raleigh County, I met Andrew Burnside driving his pick-up truck. I knew him as a good, fiddle player, and I was surprised when he volunteered to sing this ballad.
1 "O hangman, hangman, hold your rope,
Hold it for a while,
For I think I see my father coming
'Way off many a mile.
Father, Father, have you brought me gold,
Gold for to pay my fee?
Or have you come to see me hung
Upon the gallows tree?"
No, daughter I've not brought you gold,
Gold for to pay your
I have come to see you hung UP
Upon the gallows tree."
2. "O hangman, hangman, hold your rope,
Hold it for a while,
For I think I see my mother coming
'Way off many a mile.
Mother, Mother, have you brought me gold,
Gold for to pay my fee?
Or have you come to see me hung
Upon the gallows tree?"
No, daughter I've not brought you gold,
Gold for to pay your fee
I have come to see you hung
Upon the gallows tree."
3. "O hangman, hangman, hold your rope,
Hold it for a while,
For I think I see my brother coming
'Way off many a mile.
Brother, brother, have you brought me gold,
Gold for to pay my fee?
Or have you come to see me hung
Upon the gallows tree?"
No, sister I've not brought you gold,
Gold for to pay your fee
I have come to see you hung
Upon the gallows tree."
4. "O hangman, hangman, hold your rope,
Hold it for a while,
For I think I see my true-love coming
'Way off many a mile.
True-love, true-love, have you brought me gold,
Gold for to pay my fee?
Or have you come to see me hung
Upon the gallows tree?"
Yes, true-love I have brought you gold,
Gold for to pay your fee
For I've not come to see you hung
Upon the gallows tree."