Story Behind The Song

The story is a woman has lost her virginity to her lover so now she is no longer a value to her family and can no longer bring any wealth to the family coffers. So she is being sent to the gallows maybe a metaphor for being sent to a convent.

Song Description

Woman wanting to be saved by her family, but all are against her except her lover.

Lyrics

Slack your rope hangman
slack it for awhile
I think I see my father comin'
riding many a mile
Oh! father have you brought me hope?
or have you payed my fee?
Or have you come to see me
hangin' from
the gallows tree?

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

Slack your rope hangman
slack it for awhile
I think I see my mother comin'
riding many a mile
Oh! mother have you brought me hope
or have you payed my fee?
Or have you come to see me
hangin 'from
the gallows tree?

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

Slack your rope hangman
slack it for awhile
I think I see my brother comin'
riding many a mile
Oh! brother have you brought me hope ?
Or have you payed my fee?
Or have you come to see me
hangin' from
the gallows tree?

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

Slack your rope hangman
slack it for awhile
I think I see my sister comin'
riding many a mile
Oh! sister have you brought me hope?
Or have you payed my fee?
Or have you come to see me hangin'
from the gallows tree?

I have not brought you hope
I have not payed your fee
Yes! I have come to see you hangin'
from the gallows tree

Slack your rope hangman
slack it for awhile
I think I see my true love comin'
riding many a mile
Oh! true love have you brought me hope?
or have you payed my fee?
Or have you come to see me hangin'
from the gallows tree?

Yes! I have brought you hope
yes I have payed your fee
for I've not come to see you
hangin'
hangin'
hangin'
from that gallows tree

Traditional
Lead vocal Delta Burnett Reed
Back up vocal Joe Podlesny
Composer Joe Podlesny
Musical arranger Joe Podlesny
Guitar Joe Podlesny
Keyboard Joe Podlesny