The Golden Ball- (NC) c.1940 Abrams, Variant 1
[Listed as Maid Freed from the Gallows, Variant 1 in the Abrams Collection, no informant named. This version is no longer accessible.
R. Matteson 2015]
THE GOLDEN BALL
"Hangman, hangman, slacken your rope
For just a little while;
Yonder comes my father,
Oh! - he's traveled for many a mile.
Father have you got my golden ball,
And can you set me free;
Or have you come to see me hang
Under the sycamore tree?"
CHORUS: "No, I have not got your golden ball,
I cannot set you free;
I have come to see you hang
Under the sycamore tree!"
"Hangman, hangman, slacken your rope
For just a little while;
Yonder comes my mother,
Oh! - she's traveled for many a mile.
Mother have you got my golden ball,
And can you set me free;
Or have you come to see me hang
Under the sycamore tree?"
(Chorus).
"Hangman, hangman, slacken your rope
For just a little while;
Yonder comes my brother, Oh.'
He's traveled for many a mile.
Brother have you got my golden ball,
And can you set me free;
Or have you come to see me hang
Under the sycamore tree?"
(Chorus).
"Hangman, hangman, slacken your rope
For just a little while;
Yonder comes my sister,
Oh! - she's traveled for many a mile.
Sister have you got my golden ball,
And can you set me free;
Or have you come to see me hang
Under the sycamore tree?"
(Chorus).
"Hangman, hangman, slacken your rope
For just a little while;
Yonder comes my true love, -
He's traveled for many a mile.
True love have you got my golden ball,
And can you set me free;
Or have you come to see me hang
Under the sycamore tree?"
"Yes, I have got your golden ball,
I've come to set you free;
I cannot bear to see you hang
Under the sycamore tree!"