Hangman Slacken- Riddle (AR) c1927 Wolf
[My date. Two versions from The John Quincy Wolf Folklore Collection; Lyon College, Batesville, Arkansas. Another version appears in her 1970 book, A Singer and her Songs, with slight differences. She said she learned it over 40 years ago.
R. Matteson 2015]
HANGMAN, SLACKEN (THE MAID FREED FROM THE GALLOWS)
Sung by: Almeda Riddle; Recorded on 5/10/62
(Comment by Mrs. Riddle: "The first verse . . . the verses are . . . they just repeat themselves except father, mother, sister, and on like that. So, we'll sing the first and the last, and that'll get it.")
"Oh, hangman, hangman, slacken[1] up that line.
I see my father coming from a far-off distant shore[2].
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[3] son
Hanging high on the gallows tree."
[repeat with other relatives; father etc.)
"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."
1. book has: loosen
2. book has: home
3. book has: unworthy
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HANGMAN Version 2; ( THE MAID FREED FROM THE GALLOWS)
Sung by: Almeda Riddle; Recorded on 5/14/70
(Mrs. Riddle: “. . . in a long, long time. I like that. That’s a tradition . . .”
Dr. Wolf: “Same . . . hangman? This is . . . This is the version . . .”
Mrs. Riddle: “Yeah. This is the hangman.”
Dr. Wolf: “This is a tune you haven’t heard.”
Mrs. Riddle: “And I don’t know that you will hear it. I’m gonna have to think a little. I haven’t done that in several years.”)
“Oh, hangman, hangman, slacken up your lines.
I see my father coming from a far-off distant shore.”
“Oh, father--my father--have you brought me gold,
Or have you paid my fee?
Or did you come to see your only son
Hanging high on a gallows tree?”
"Oh, no, son, no, and I have brought no gold,
Nor have I paid your fee.
Alas, I come to see an unworthy son
Hanging high on the gallows tree.”
“Oh, slackman, slackman, slacken up your lines.
I see my mother coming from our far-off distant home.”
“Oh, mother--my mother--have you brought me gold,
Or have you paid my fee?
Or did you come to see your only son
Hanging high on a gallows tree?”
(Mrs. Riddle: “Now, it’s the same answer that his father give, it’s so long, let’s . . . Will it be okay?”
Dr. Wolf: “Yeah.”
Mrs. Riddle: “And then it comes on to the sister, and then to the sweetheart.”)
“Oh, slackman, slackman, slacken up your lines.
I see my sweetheart coming from a far and distant plain.”
“Oh, sweetheart--my sweetheart--have you brought me gold,
Or have you paid my fee?
Or did you to come but to see me hung,
Hung high on the gallows tree?”
“Oh, yes, and yes, I have brought you gold,
And I have paid the fee.
I never intended to see my love hanging
High on a gallows tree.”