Slack Your Rope- Jimmie Driftwood (AR) 1959 REC
[From Jimmie Driftwood's recording, "Slack Your Rope," on The Wilderness Road of Jimmie Driftwood. 1959 (RCA Victor LPM-1994 [12-inch LP]).
"Slack Your Rope" is obviously a parody by Jimmie Driftwood. However, it's probably based on a traditional version he learned in Arkansas.
R. Matteson 2015]
SLACK YOUR ROPE - Jimmie Driftwood, 1959 recording.
Slack your rope, hangman, loose it for awhile;
I think I see my father comin’ a-ridin’ many a mile;
Father, have you brought me gold or have you paid my fee,
Or have you come to see me hung upon the gallows tree?
You stole the bishop’s golden ball,
You stole his silver key,
And I have come to see you hung
Upon the gallows tree.
Slack your rope, hangman, loose it for awhile;
I think I see my mother comin’ a-ridin’ many a mile.
Mother, have you brought me gold or have you paid my fee,
Or have you come to see me hung upon the gallows tree?
You would not dust my feather bed,
Or brew me a pot of tea,
So I have come to see you hung
Upon the gallows tree.
Slack your rope, hangman, loose it for awhile;
I think I see the devil comin’ a-ridin’ many a mile.
Devil, have you brought me gold or have you paid my fee,
Or have you come to see me hung upon the gallows tree?
I stole the bishop’s golden ball,
I stole his silver key,
And I have come to steal your soul
Upon the gallows tree.
Slack your rope, hangman, loose it for awhile;
I think I see my true love comin’ a-ridin’ many a mile.
True love, have you brought me gold or have you paid my fee,
Or have you come to see me hung upon the gallows tree?
You don’t need a bag of gold,
For I done paid your fee;
So jump right down into my arms,
You’re going home with me.
Jump right down into my arms,
You’re going home with me.