The new design I've been working on is Ballad No. 95, entitled "The Maid Freed From the Gallows", and is about a maid waiting for someone to buy her freedom from the executioner. Variants have been recorded by Ledbelly, Bob Dylan (recorded as Seven Curses), and Led Zepplin, among many many other artists. This design can be found HERE, as well as in New York, February 10th and 11th. . . at The Child Ballad Show at UnionDocs. For More information please visit http://childballads.blogspot.com/
And stay it for a while,
For I fancy I see my father
A coming across the yonder stile.
O, father, have you my gold?
And can you set me free?
Or are you come to see me hung?
All on the gallows tree?
No, I've not brought thee gold,
And I can't set thee free;
But I have come to see thee hung
All on the gallows tree.
Oh the briery bush,
That prickes my heart so sore
If I once get out of the briery bush,
I'll never get in any more.
O Hangman, stay thy hand,
And stay it for a while,
For I fancy I see my father
A coming across the yonder stile.
Repeat the verses above with
other relatives -
Mother, Brother, Sister, etc.
The song concludes with
The arrival of her "True Love" as below:
O Hangman, stay thy hand,
And stay it for a while
For I fancy I see my true love
A coming across the yonder stile.
O true-love, have you my gold?
And can you set me free?
Or are you come to see me hung
All on the gallows tree?
O yes, I've brought thee gold,
And I can set thee free;
And I've not come to see thee hung
All on the gallows tree.
O the briery bush,
That pricks my heart so sore;
Now I've got out of the briery bush,
I'll never get in any more.
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