An Exploration of Traditional & Contemperary Balladry
Gallows PoleHangman, hangman, hold it a little while, Think I see my friends coming, Riding a many mile. Friends, did you get some silver? Did you get a little gold? What did you bring me, my dear friends, To keep me from the Gallows Pole? What did you bring me to keep me from the Gallows Pole? I couldn't get no silver, I couldn't get no gold, You know that we're too damn poor to keep you from the Gallows Pole. Hangman, hangman, hold it a little while, I think I see my brother coming, riding a many mile. Brother, did you get me some silver? Did you get a little gold? What did you bring me, my brother, To keep me from the Gallows Pole? Brother, I brought you some silver, I brought a little gold, I brought a little of everything To keep you from the Gallows Pole. Yes, I brought you to keep you from the Gallows Pole. Hangman, hangman, turn your head awhile, I think I see my sister coming, riding a many mile, mile, mile. Sister, I implore you, take him by the hand, Take him to some shady bower, save me from the wrath of this man, Please take him, save me from the wrath of this man, man. Hangman, hangman, upon your face a smile, Pray tell me that I'm free to ride, Ride for many mile, mile, mile. Oh, yes, you got a fine sister, She warmed my blood from cold, Brought my blood to boiling hot To keep you from the Gallows Pole, Your brother brought me silver, Your sister warmed my soul, But now I laugh and pull so hard And see you swinging on the Gallows Pole Swingin' on the gallows pole! Comment Form is loading comments...
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~John Fitz History & AnalysisAlthough it exists in many forms, all versions recount a similar story. A maiden (a young unmarried woman) about to be hanged (for unknown reasons) pleads with the hangman, orjudge, to wait for the arrival of someone who may bribe him. The first person (or people) to arrive, who may include the father, mother, brother, and sister, have brought nothing and often have come to see her hanged. The last person to arrive, often her true love, has brought the gold to save her.[1] Although the traditional versions do not resolve the fate of the condemned one way or the other[citation needed], it may be presumed that the bribe would succeed. Depending on the version, she may curse all those who failed her.
The typical refrain would be: "Hangman, hangman, hangman / slack your rope awhile.I think I see my father / ridin’ many a mile.Father, did you bring any silver? / father, did you bring any gold,Or did you come to see me / hangin’ from the gallows pole?""No, I didn’t bring any silver, / no I didn’t bring any gold.I just come to see you / hangin’ from the gallows pole." It has been suggested that the reference to "gold" may not mean actual gold for a bribe, but may instead stand for the symbolic restoration of the maiden's honor, perhaps by proof of her virginity or fidelity.[2][3] Such an interpretation would explain why a number of variations of the song have the maiden (or a male condemned) asking whether their visitors had brought them gold or paid their fee. In at least one version, the reply comes that "I haven't brought you gold / But I have paid your fee."[4] Source: Wikepedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallows_Pole |