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HANGMAN, SLACKEN (THE MAID FREED FROM THE GALLOWS; HOLD YOUR HANDS, OLD MAN) Sung by: Almeda Riddle Recorded on 5/10/62 Click here to listen to the original recording "Oh, hangman, hangman, slacken up that line. I see my father coming From a far-off distant shore. Oh, Father, my father, did you bring me gold, Or have you paid my fee, Or did you come to see your only son Hanging on the gallows tree?" "Oh no, son, no; I haven't brought you gold, Nor have I paid your fee, Alas, I come to see my guilty son Hanging high on the gallows tree." "Oh, slackman, slackman, slacken up the line, For I see my sweetheart coming From a far-off distant place. Oh, sweetheart, my sweetheart, have you brought me gold And have you paid my fee? Did you, too, come to see me hung on the gallows tree?" "Oh no, dear, no; I haven't brought you gold, But I have paid your fee. I never intended to see you hanging High on a gallows tree." Also found in Child, #95, "The Maid Freed From the Gallows"; Randolph, Vol. I, #24, "Hold Your Hands, Old Man"; Brown, Vol. II, #30, "The Maid Freed From the Gallows"; Belden, p. 66, "The Maid Freed From the Gallows." |
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All Songs Recorded by John Quincy Wolf, Jr., unless otherwise noted The John Quincy Wolf Folklore Collection Lyon College, Batesville, Arkansas Back to the Song Index Back to the Wolf Collection Homepage ©Copyright 2002 Lyon College |