The Hangman- Wilson (NC) 1936 Niles A
[From The Ballad Book of John Jacob Niles; 1961.
This is an African-American version collected by Niles that he says was acted out; Listen on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdaWTC26DH8&feature=related
R. Matteson 2012, 2015]
A. The Hangman- Sung by Ella Wilson (Texana, near Murphy, NC) 1936 Niles A
"Hangman, hangman, slack your line,
Slack it just a while,
'Cause I think I see my mama comin',
Travelin' many a mile,
Travelin' many a mile.
"Papa, Papa, has you brought gold
For to pay this hangman's fee,
Or did you come to see me swingin'
High from this hangman's tree,
High from this hangman's tree?"
"Daughter, daughter, I brought you no gold
For to pay that hangman's fee,
But I came to see you swingin', swingin'
High from that hangman's tree,
High from that hangman's tree."
"Hangman, hangman, slack your line,
Slack it just a while,
'Cause I think I see my mama comin',
Travelin' many a mile,
Travelin' many a mile.
"Mama, mama, did you bring gold
For to pay this hangman's fee,
Or did you come to see me swingin'
High from this hangman's tree,
High from this hangman's tree?"
"Daughter, daughter, I brought you no gold
For to pay that hangman's fee,
But I came to see you swingin', swingin'
High from that hangman's tree,
High from that hangman's tree."
"Hangman, hangman, slack your line,
Slack it just a while,
'Cause I think I see my lover comin',
Travelin' many a mile,
Travelin' many a mile.
"Sweetheart, sweetheart, did you bring gold
For to pay this hangman's fee,
Or did you come to see me swingin'
High from this hangman's tree,
High from this hangman's tree?"
"Darlin', darlin', I brought you that gold
For to pay that hangman's fee,
'Cause I don't want to see you swingin', swingin'
High from no hangman's tree,
High from no hangman's tree."