THE GALLOWSTREE
(learned at Hiking Club folksinging parties)
Slack your rope, hangs-a-man, oh, slack it for a while
Slack your rope...
(repeat substituting "brother" for mother)
(from miriam berg's folksong collection)
I think I see my father comin', ridin' many a mile
Oh, father, have you brought me gold, or have you paid my fee?
Or have you come to see me hangin' from the gallows-tree?
I have not brought you gold; I have not paid your fee;
But I have come to see you hangin' from the gallows-tree.
I think I see my mother comin'...
Oh, mother, have you brought me gold...
(repeat substituting "sister" for mother)
(repeat substituting "cousin" for mother)