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about

I first came across this song in a version by John Jacob Niles, whose eerie falsetto and mastery of suspense made it an unforgettable experience. As someone with a penchant for the creepy, I was completely hooked. The transition from the singer’s cautious optimism into uncertainty and then into desperation is such a joy to sing and I always find myself completely drawn into her increasing terror.

lyrics

"Hangman, hangman,
Slack your line,
Slack it just a while,
For I think I see my papa comin',
Travelin' many a mile,
Travelin' many a mile.

"Papa, papa,
Have you brought gold,
For to pay this hangman's fee,
Or did you come to see me swingin'
High from this hangman's tree,
High from this hangman's tree?"

"Daughter, daughter, daughter,
I brought no gold,
For to pay that hangman's fee,
But I come to see you swingin', swingin',
High from this hangman's tree,
High from this hangman's tree."


"Hangman, hangman,
Slack your line,
Slack it just a while,
For I think I see my mama comin',
Travelin' many a mile,
Travelin' many a mile.

"Mama, mama,
Have you brought gold,
For to pay this hangman's fee,
Or did you come to see me swingin'
High from this hangman's tree,
High from this hangman's tree?"

"Daughter, daughter,
I brought no gold,
For to pay this hangman's fee,
But I come to see you swingin', swingin',
High from that hangman's tree,
High from that hangman's tree."


"Hangman, hangman,
Slack your line,
Slack it just a while,
For I think I see my lover comin',
Travelin' many a mile,
Travelin' many a mile.

"Sweetheart, sweetheart,
Did you bring gold,
For to pay this hangman's fee,
Or did you come to see me swingin'
High from this hangman's tree,
High from this hangman's tree?"

"Darlin', darlin', darlin',
I brought that gold,
For to pay that hangman's fee,
'Cause I don't want to see you swingin', swingin',
High from this hangman's tree,
High from this hangman's tree."

credits

from On a Green Growing Tree, released August 16, 2016
Traditional

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Alice Dillon image

Alice Dillon Edinburgh, UK

A folk and traditional singer and guitarist based in Edinburgh. I was a semi-finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award 2016.
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCs3dne0FG_83URM_QLbux5A
Website: alicedillonfolk.wordpress.com
Peerie Faeries: peeriefaeries.wordpress.com ... more

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