The Scarlet Tree- Dehon (SC) c.1856 Smith B
[From Reed Smith, South Carolina Ballads, 1928. His notes follow. Smith only gave two of the five versions he collected.
R. Matteson 2015]
THE MAID FREED FROM THE GALLOWS
(Child, No. 95)
Campbell and Sharp give four texts and four tunes; Cox gives seven texts; Sharp gives one text with tune. For additional American references, see Cox's head-note, p. 115; and for English references, Sharp, Notes, pp. xxiv, xxv. The usual American title for this ballad is "The Hangman's Tree," or "The Ropeman." For an account of its extended career in oral tradition, see above pp. 80-94.
B. "The Scarlet Tree." Communicated by Mr. W. R. Dehon, of Summerville, S. C., in 1913. Mr. Dehon learned it from the singing of a colored nurse many years ago. "The name of the nurse was Margaret," he writes. "She belonged to my Uncle, the Rev. Paul Trapier, then rector of St. Michael's Church, Charleston, who was living then, about 1856 or 1857, in my Great-Grandfather's house, known as the 'N. R.' house on Meeting Street next south of the Scotch Church. It was when visiting at this house that we as children used to hear Margaret recite 'The Hangman's Tree'."
1 "Hangman, hang man, hold your hand
A little longer still;
I think I see my father coming
And he will set me free.
2. "Oh father, father, have you brought
My golden ball and come to set me free,
Or have you come to see me hung
Upon the Scarlet Tree?"
3. "I have not brought your golden ball,
Or come to set you free;
But I have come to see you hung
Upon the Scarlet Tree."
(So on through the family till the lover comes.)
4 "I have brought your golden ball;
I come to set you free;
I have not come to see you hung
Upon the Scarlet Tree."