The Hangman's Tree- Paugh (WV) 1915 Cox D
[From: Cox, Folk-Songs of the South- 1925. His notes follow.
R. Matteson 2012, 2015]
18. THE MAID FREED FROM THE GALLOWS (Child, No. 95)
Seven texts have been secured in West Virginia under various titles. The first six of these texts differ from each other but slightly, and are similar to that printed by Child, v, 296. Text G is fragmentary, and differs from the others in that it states the crime for which the maid is to be hanged (see stanza 2). Of the English versions in Child, the language of the West Virginia texts is most like B. The term "hangman" occurs in Child G only.
The first American copy to be printed was that in Child, v, 296 (from Virginia by way of North Carolina). For texts printed since, see Journal, xxi, 56 (Reed Smith; West Virginia); xxvi, 175 (Kittredge; from an Irish servant in Massachusetts); xxvii, 64 (Reed Smith; South Carolina); xxx, 319 (Kittredge; New York, Missouri, North Carolina; contributed by Reinhard, Belden, and Hart) ; Wyman and Brockway, p. 44 (Kentucky; reprinted by Pound, No. 13); Smith, p. 10 (Virginia); Campbell and Sharp, No. 24 (Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia); cf. Minish MS. (North Carolina); Belden's Missouri collection. Barry gives the tune current in Ireland, from the Hudson MS. (Journal, xxrv, 337). For further references see Journal, xxx, 318. Add Bulletin, Nos. 6, 8-10.
D. "The Hangman's Tree." Communicated by Mr. George Paugh, Thomas, Tucker County, August 28, 1915; obtained from Mrs. H. S. Paugh. He writes that he has found nine different persons who sing this song. Reported by Cox xlv, 159.
1 "Hangman, hangman, hold your rope,
Hold it for a while;
I think I see my father coming,
Coming for many a mile."
2 "Father, father, have you any gold,
Gold to set me free?
Or have you come to see me hung,
Hung to this willow tree?"
3 "No, O no, I haven't any gold,
Gold to set you free;
But I have come to see you hung,
Hung to the willow tree."
Instructions for the remainder of the ballad are as in B version. Repeat the triad, substituting mother, brother, sister, and true-love for father. The last stanza is as follows :
15. "O yes, I have brought you gold,
Gold to set you free;
And I did not come for to see you hung,
Hung to the willow tree."