The Hangman's Tree- Bellatty (ME) 1929 Barry A
[No date given, my A designation. From: British Ballads From Maine, p. 206; no letter designation is given. Barry give A-C versions of "The Golden Ball" version. See Barry's notes on the front page of US/Canadian versions.
R. Matteson 2015]
THE MAID FREED FROM THE GALLOWS
(Child 95)
Form I. The Hangman's Tree
From Miss Helene Bellatty, Ellsworth, who took this down from the dictation of her father, Capt. W. C. Bellatty, who followed the sea for more than sixty years and was master of the last Ellsworth-owned coaster.
1 "Hangman, hangman, hold the rope,
Hold it for awhile,
For I think I see my father now,
Riding many a mile.
"Father, father, have you gold,
Gold to set me free ?
[Or have you come to see me hanged
Upon a gallows tree?"]
"No, my daughter, I have no gold,
Gold to set you free,
But I have come to see you hung
Upon a gallows tree."
"The same conversation takes place with the mother, sister,
brother; then comes the sweetheart."
4 "Hangman, hangman, hold the rope,
Hold it for awhile,
For I think I see my truelove now,
Riding many a mile.
5 "Truelove, truelove, have you gold,
Gold to set me free,
[Or have you come to see me hanged
Upon a gallows tree?"]
6 "Yes, my love, I have gold,
Gold to set you free,
And have not come to see you hung
Upon a gallows tree."