Hangman- Havens (TN) 1936 Anderson A
[My title, replacing the generic Child title. From: Anderson, A Collection of Ballads & Songs from East Tennessee (1936) p. 46.
R. Matteson 2015]
Hangman- Mrs. Flora Havens, of Binfield, Tennessee, pre 1936.
1 Hangman, hangman, slight of your rope,
Slight of your rope for a while;
I thought I saw my father a-coming,
A-rocking for many long miles, miles.
A-rocking for many long miles.
2. O father, O father, did you bring me your gold?
Did you come for to set me free?
Or did you come for to see me hung under this green cedar tree,
Under this green cedar tree?
3. Oh no, oh no I have brought you no gold,
I didn't come to set you free;
I come this day to see you hung under this green cedar tree
Under this green cedar tree.
In subsequent verses, "brother" "sister" and finally "true love" are substituted for "father."
15. "Oh yes, oh yes, I brought you gold,
I come for to set you free;
I come this day to set you free,
And take you home with me,
And take you home with me."