The Hangman's Tree- Steele (WV) 1916 Cox B
[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 Bulletin, Nos. 6, 8-10.
B. "The Hangman's Tree." Contributed by Mr. Warren C. Steele, Walker, Wood County, January, 1917; learned from a young man named Richards, in Logan County in 1916.
1 "Hangman, hangman, go slack your rope,
Go slack it for awhile;
For yonder comes my father,
He's come for many a mile."
2 "O father, O father, have you brought me gold,
Likewise to pay my fee?
Or have you come for to see me hung,
Upon the gallows tree?"
3 "I have not brought you any gold,
Likewise to pay your fee,
But I have come for to see you hung,
Upon the gallows tree."
Repeat the triad, substituting mother, brother, sister, and true-love for father.
The last stanza is as follows :
15 "O yes, I have brought you gold,
Likewise to pay your fee,
And I did not come for to see you hung,
Upon the gallows tree."