Oh Hangman- McDonald (AR) 1902 Randolph F; Max Hunter A; Bronson 50.
[From: Randolph, Ozark Folksongs, I, 1946, P. 147(F). The same ballad was collected by Max Hunter in 1958. Her 1958 version, which includes a verse about the brother coming, appears below at the bottom of this page.
R. Matteson 2015]
[Oh Hangman] -Sung by Mrs. (Laura) H. McDonald, Farmington, Ark., February 10, 1942. Learned from her parents about 40 years ago.
[music] The notes within brackets appear to have dropped out of the printed copy.
1. Oh hangman, oh hangman, just wait a while,
Just wait a little while,
Till I see my father,
For he's rode a many a long mile.
2. Oh father, oh father, do you bring me gold
To pay my bond so free?
Or have you come to see me hung
Beneath the maple tree?
3. Oh daughter, oh daughter, I've brought you no gold
To pay your bond so free,
But I have come to see you hung
Beneath the maple tree.
4. Oh mother, oh mother, do you bring me gold
To pay my bond so free?
Or have You come to see me hung
Beneath the maple tree?
5. Oh daughter, oh daughter, I've brought you no gold
To pay your bond so free,
But I have come to see you hung
Beneath the maple tree.
6. Oh hangman, oh hangman, just wait a while,
Just wait a little while,
Till I see my lover
For he's rode a many a long mile.
7. Oh lover, oh lover, do you bring me gold
To pay my bond so free?
Or have You come to see me hung
Beneath the maple tree?
8. Oh sweetheart, oh sweetheart, I bring you gold
To pay your bond so free,
I have not come to see you hung
But to take You home with me.
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[From Missouri State; Max Hunter Folk Song Collection; Cat. #0216 (MFH #248) Hunter A]
The Hangman- As sung by Mrs. Laura McDonald, Springdale, Arkansas on July 23, 1958
VERSE 1
[O] Hangman, O hangman, just wait awhile
Just wait a little while
Till I see my Father
For he's rode a many a long mile
VERSE 2
O Father, O Father, do bring me gold
To pay my bond so free?
Or have you come, to see me hung
Beneath the willow tree?
VERSE 3
O daughter, O daughter, I brought you no gold
To pay your bond so free
But I have came, to see you hung
Beneath the willow tree
VERSE 4
O Mother, O Mother, do bring me gold
To pay my bond so free
Or have you come, to see me hung
Beneath the willow tree
VERSE 5
O daughter, O daughter, I brought you no gold
To pay your bond so free
But I have come, to see you hung
Beneath the willow tree
VERSE 6
O brother, O brother, do bring me gold
To pay my bond so free
Or have you come, to see me hung
Beneath the willow tree
VERSE 7
O sister, O sister, I brought you no gold
To pay your bond so free
But I have come, to see you hung
Beneath the willow tree
VERSE 8
O lover, O lover, do bring me gold
To pay my bond so free
Or have you come, to see me hung
Beneath the willow tree
VERSE 9
O sweetheart, O sweetheart, I brought you gold
To pay your bond so free
I have not come, to see you hung
But to take you home with me