Gallows Pole
Dance of Redemption: Shirley King's Gallows Pole Tale
Lyrics
Hangman, hangman, hold it a little while
The speaker addresses the hangman, asking for a brief delay.
Think I see my friends coming
Perceives friends approaching from a distance.
Riding a many mile
Friends are riding a long distance.
Friends did you get some silver?
Asks if friends acquired silver.
Did you get a little gold?
Asks if friends obtained gold.
What did you bring me my dear friends
Inquires what friends brought to save the speaker from the gallows pole.
To keep me from the gallows pole?
Repeats the question, emphasizing the plea for salvation.
What did you bring me to keep me from the gallows pole?
Reiterates the inquiry, underscoring the urgency.
I couldn't get no silver, I couldn't get no gold
Friends couldn't secure silver or gold due to poverty.
You know that we're too damn poor
Acknowledges the financial struggle that prevents salvation.
To keep you from the gallows pole
Despite poverty, the speaker faces the gallows pole.
Hangman, hangman, hold it a little while
Repeats the plea to the hangman for a momentary reprieve.
I think I see my brother coming
Spots the speaker's brother approaching from a distance.
Riding a many mile
Brother is riding a long distance.
Brother, did you get me some silver?
Asks if the brother brought silver.
Did you get a little gold?
Asks if the brother obtained gold.
What did you bring me, my brother
Inquires what the brother brought to prevent the gallows pole fate.
To keep me from the gallows pole?
Reiterates the inquiry to emphasize the need for salvation.
Brother, I brought you some silver
The brother brought silver, gold, and everything to save the speaker.
I brought a little gold,
The brother brought a variety of valuables.
I brought a little of everythin
The brother brought a diverse assortment to ensure salvation.
To keep you from the gallows pole
Reaffirms that the brother's offerings will prevent the gallows pole fate.
Yes, I brought you to keep you from the gallows pole
Emphasizes that the brother's offerings will save from the gallows pole.
Hangman, hangman, turn your head awhile
Hangman is asked to turn away briefly.
I think I see my sister coming
Observes the sister approaching from a distance.
Riding a many mile, mile, mile
The sister is riding a long distance.
Sister, I implore you, take him by the hand
Urges the sister to take the speaker away from danger.
Take him to some shady bower
Asks the sister to take the speaker to a safe place.
Save me from the wrath of this man
Pleads with the sister to save from the hangman's wrath.
Please take him
Repeats the plea for the sister to take the speaker away.
Save me from the wrath of this man, man
Reiterates the plea for salvation from the hangman's wrath.
Hangman, hangman, upon your face a smile
Hangman is described as smiling.
Pray tell me that I'm free to ride
Asks the hangman to confirm freedom to ride for a long distance.
Ride for many mile, mile, mile
Encourages riding for an extended distance, signifying escape.
Oh, yes, you got a fine sister
Compliments the sister, acknowledging her attractiveness.
She warmed my blood from cold
Expresses the sister's effect on warming the speaker's emotions.
She brought my blood to boiling hot
Highlights the sister's impact on intensifying emotions.
To keep you from the gallows pole, pole, pole, pole, yeah
Attributes the sister's influence to preventing the gallows pole fate.
Your brother brought me silver
Mentions the brother providing silver to the hangman.
Your sister warmed my soul
Acknowledges the sister's positive impact on the speaker.
But now I laugh and pull so hard
Expresses laughter and exertion to avoid the gallows pole fate.
And see you swinging on the gallows pole, yeah
Laughs at the situation and the impending fate of the hangman.
But now I laugh and pull so hard
Repeats the laughter and exertion in anticipation of the gallows pole.
And see you swinging on the gallows pole, pole, pole
Laughs again at the image of the hangman swinging on the gallows pole.
Swingin' on the gallows pole
Describes the image of someone swinging on the gallows pole.
Swingin' on the gallows pole
Repeats the image of someone swinging on the gallows pole.
Swingin' on the gallows pole
Reiterates the image of someone swinging on the gallows pole.
Swingin' on the gallows pole, pole, pole, pole, pole, pole, pole, pole
Emphasizes the repetitive and ongoing nature of the gallows pole fate.
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