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