The Hangman's Song- Dills (KY) 1931 Fuson
[The title may not be local. From: Harvey Fuson; Ballads of the Kentucky Highlands (London, Kentucky: The Mitre Press, 1931)(Folcroft, Pennsylvania: Folcroft Library Editions, 1977)
A brief bio excerpt follows. This version starts with a stanza of "in the Pines."
R. Matteson 2015]
Harvey H. Fuson was born at Little Clear Creek, in Bell County, Kentucky on August 21, 1876, the son of John Thomas and Sarah Jane (Lee) Fusion, descendant of Thomas Fuson (1760-1849), a Kentucky pioneer.
THE HANGMAN'S SONG (From singing of Lizzie Dills)
Through the pine, through the pine, where the sun never shines,
And shiver when the cold wind blows.
I killed no man, and I robbed no train;
I have done no hanging crime.
"Hangman, hangman, slack on your way,
Slack on your way awhile,
For I see my parents a-coming,
They have walked for many a mile.
"O parents, O parents, did you bring me any gold
Did you come to buy me free,
It: did you come to see me hung
Upon the gallows tree?"
"O son, O son, for many a mile,
We've walked to see you hung."
Hangman, hangman, slack on your road[1],
Slack on your road awhile.
I see my brothers a-coming,
They have walked for many a mile.
Brothers, O brothers, did you bring me any gold ?
Did you come to buy me free?
O brother, O brother, for many a mile
We've walked to see you hung."
"Hangman, hangman, slack on your way,
Slack on your way awhile,
For I see my parents a-coming,
They have walked for many a mile.
"O sisters, O sisters, did you bring me any gold
Did you come to buy me free,
It: did you come to see me hung
Upon the gallows tree?"
"O brother, O brother, for many a mile,
We've walked to see you hung."
"Hangman, hangman, slack on your road[1],
Slack on your road for awhile,
For I see my true-love a-coming,
Has walked for many a mile.
"True-love, true-love, did you bring me any gold
Did you come to buy me free,
"True-love, true-love, I have walked for many a mile,
I have come to buy you free,
And take you home with me."
1. rope