Slack your rope hangman, slack it for a while
I think i see my father comin' ridin' many a mile
Father have you brought me hope or have you paid my fee
Or have you come to see me hangin' from the gallows tree?

I have not brought you hope, i have not paid your fee
Yes i have come to see you hangin' from the gallows tree.

Slack your rope hangman, slack it for a while
I think i see my mother comin' ridin' many a mile
Mother have you brought me hope or have you paid my fee
Or have you come to see me hangin' from the gallows tree?

I have not brought you hope, i have not paid your fee
Yes i have come to see you hangin' from the gallows tree.

Slack your rope hangman, slack it for a while
I think i see my brother comin' ridin' many a mile
Brother have you brought me hope or have you paid my fee
Or have you come to see me hangin' from the gallows tree?

I have not brought you hope, i have not paid your fee
Yes i have come to see you hangin' from the gallows tree.

Slack your rope hangman, slack it for a while
I think i see my true love comin' riding' many a mile
True love have you brought me hope or have you paid my fee
Or have you come to see me hangin' from the gallows tree?

Yes i have brought you hope, yes i have paid your fee
For i've not come to see you hangin' from the gallows tree.