Hangman, hangman, hold it a little while,
Think i see my friends coming,
Riding a many mile.
Friends, did you get some silver?
Did you get a little gold?
What did you bring me, my dear friends,
To keep me from the gallows pole?
What did you bring me to keep me from the gallows pole?
I couldn't get no silver, i couldn't get no gold,
You know that we're too damn poor
To keep you from the gallows pole.
Hangman, hangman, hold it a little while,
I think i see my brother coming,
Riding a many mile.
Brother, did you get me some silver?
Did you get a little gold?
What did you bring me, my brother,
To keep me from the gallows pole?
Brother, i brought you some silver,
I brought a little gold,
I brought a little of ev'ry thing
To keep you from the gallows pole.
Yes, i brought you to keep you from the gallows pole.
Hangman, hangman, turn your head awhile,
I think i see my sister coming,
Riding a many mile, mile, mile.
Sister, i implore you, take him by the hand,
Take him to some shady bower,
Save me from the wrath of this man,
Please take him,
Save me from the wrath of this man, man.
Hangman, hangman, upon your face a smile,
Pray tell me that i'm free to ride,
Ride for many mile, mile, mile.
Oh, yes, you got a fine sister,
She warmed my blood from cold,
Brought my blood to boiling hot
To keep you from the gallows pole,
Your brother brought me silver,
Your sister warmed my soul,
But now i laugh and pull so hard
And see you swinging on the gallows pole
Keep-a-swingin'!
Swingin' on the gallows pole!