Hangman's Tree- Webb (NC) 1939 Brown Q
[Fragment from a Brown Collection Volume 4, 1956. The melody and apparently the text are similar to the Avery Johnson version (The Highwayman), which was first recorded by Charlie Poole in 1926.
If this is so - it should end "hangman's pole" but it doesn't.
R. Matteson 2015]
Q 'Hangman's Tree.' Sung by Miss Pearle Webb. Recorded at Pineola, Avery County, August 24, 1939. There is also a second recording of a version sung by Mrs. Anna Johnson [Mrs Avery Johnson, recorded a version of The Highwayman, the text ends "hangman's pole." Webb's melody is very similar to Johnson's and I assume they are both "Highwayman" versions.], which differs only in a few points from this version, and from which the first set of variations are taken.
Scale: Hexatonic (4), plagal. Tonal Center: f. Structure: abed (2,2,2,2).
Hangman's Tree- Webb
"Oh have you brought me silver?
Or have you brought me gold?
Or have you walked this long, long way
To see me hanged upon the hangman's tree?'[1]
1. hangman's pole?