Rop'ry- Rohrbaugh (WV) 1940 Boette
[From Singa Hypsy Doodle; Boette, 1971. Boette claims that Rop'ry is derived from the middle English "ropere" for ropeman.
R. Matteson 2015]
Rop'ry- Sung by Mrs. John Rohrbaugh of Clarksburg, Harrison County, West Virginia. Collected by Marie Boette.
1- Rop'ry, Rop'ry, slack your rope' slack it for awhile,
I believe I see my father's face for many a mile.
a--Father, Father, have you any gold, gold to set me free?
Or have you come here to see me hung beneath this willer tree.
b--Daughter, Daughter, I haven't any gold, gold to set you free
For I've come here to see you hung beneath this willer tree.
2-Repeat and use Mother.
3 & 4- Same as above using Brother, Brother and Sister, Sister.
5- Rop'ry, Rop'ry slack your rope, slack it for awhile,
For I believe I see my sweetheart's face for many a mile.
a- Sweetheart, Sweetheart, have you any gold, gold to set me free?
Or have you come here to see me hung beneath this willer tree.
b-- Sweetheart, Sweetheart, I've brought gold, gold to set you free
For I ain't come here to see you hung beneath this willer tree.