The Hangman's Son- Callahan (NC) 1931 Scarb A2
[From Scarborough, A Song Catcher, 1938. Collected c. 1931. Bronson 37. The title is apparently a mondegreen for "Hangman's Song."
Scarborough published three African-American versions in 1925 which I've listed A-C. These are listed A2 etc.
R. Matteson 2015]
"The Hangman's Son" Sung by Clare Callahan with dulcimer; Saluda, NC. Collected c. 1931.
1. Hangman, hangman, slack up your rope,
Slack it up for a while.
I looked over yonder, saw Pa coming.
He's walked for many a long mile.
2 "Say, Pa, say, Pa, have you brung me any gold,
Any gold for to pay my fine?"
"No sir, no, sir, I brung you no gold,
No gold for to pay your fine,
For I've just come for to see you hanged,
Hanged on the gallows line."
3. You won't love, and it's hard to be loved,
And it's hard to make up your time.
You broke the heart of many a true love,
True love, but you won't break mine.
4 "Hangman, hangman, slack on your rope,
Slack it for a while,
I looked over yonder, saw Ma coming.
She's walked for many a long mile.
5. "Say, Ma, say Ma, have you brung me any gold,
Any gold for to pay my fine?"
"No, sir, no, sir, I brung you no gold,
No gold for to pay your fine.
For I've just come for to see you hanged,
Hanged on the gallows line."
Continues as before, introducing other relations. Finally:
'Hangman, hangman, slack up your rope,
Slack it for a while.
I looked over yonder, saw my true love coming.
She's walked for many a long mile."
"Say, sweetheart, say, sweetheart, have you brung me any gold,
Any gold for to pay my fine?"
"Yes, sir, yes, sir, I have brung you some gold,
Some gold for to pay your fine.
For I've just come for to take you home
From on the gallows line."