The Hangman's Tree- Cosnor (WV) 1915 Cox A
[From: Cox, Folk-Songs of the South- 1925. His notes follow.
R. Matteson 2012, 2015]
18. THE MAID FREED FROM THE GALLOWS (Child, No. 95)
Seven texts have been secured in West Virginia under various titles. The first six of these texts differ from each other but slightly, and are similar to that printed by Child, v, 296. Text G is fragmentary, and differs from the others in that it states the crime for which the maid is to be hanged (see stanza 2). Of the English versions in Child, the language of the West Virginia texts is most like B. The term "hangman" occurs in Child G only.
The first American copy to be printed was that in Child, v, 296 (from Virginia by way of North Carolina). For texts printed since, see Journal, xxi, 56 (Reed Smith; West Virginia); xxvi, 175 (Kittredge; from an Irish servant in Massachusetts); xxvii, 64 (Reed Smith; South Carolina); xxx, 319 (Kittredge; New York, Missouri, North Carolina; contributed by Reinhard, Belden, and Hart) ; Wyman and Brockway, p. 44 (Kentucky; reprinted by Pound, No. 13); Smith, p. 10 (Virginia); Campbell and Sharp, No. 24 (Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia); cf. Minish MS. (North Carolina); Belden's Missouri collection. Barry gives the tune current in Ireland, from the Hudson MS. (Journal, xxrv, 337). For further references see Journal, xxx, 318. Add Bul-
letin, Nos. 6, 8-10.
A. "The Hangman's Tree." Communicated by Mr. George Paugh, Thomas, Tucker County, October, 1915; obtained from Mae Cosnor, who says, "When I was a little girl I used to play it." Reported by Cox, xlv, 159.
1 "Hangsman, hangsman, hold your rope,
And hold it for awhile;
I think I hear my father coming,
For many a many a mile."
2 "O father, have you brought me any gold,
Or have you come to set me free?
Or have you come to see me die,
Beneath this gallows tree?"
3 "I have not brought you gold,
I have not come to set you free;
But I have come to see you die,
Beneath this gallows tree."
Repeat the triad, substituting for the word father the words mother, brother, sister, and lover. The last stanza is as follows:
15 " I have not come to see you die,
Beneath the gallows tree;
But I have brought a knife to cut the rope,
And take you home with me."