Hangknot, Slipknot
Hangknot Wisdom: Unveiling the Justice in Woody Guthrie's Lyrics
Lyrics
Did you ever see a hangman tie a hangknot?
Asking if you have witnessed a hangman tying a hangman's knot (executioner's knot).
Did you ever see a hangman tie a hangknot?
Repeating the question about observing a hangman tying a hangman's knot for emphasis.
I've seen it many a time and he winds, he winds,
Describing the act as seen frequently, with the hangman repeatedly winding the rope around to create a noose.
After thirteen times he's got a hangknot.
After multiple loops (thirteen times mentioned metaphorically), the hangman completes the hangman's knot.
Tell me will that hangknot slip, no it will not,
Questioning if the hangman's knot will slip, indicating its reliability.
Will that hangknot slip, no it will not.
Reiterating that the hangman's knot will not slip.
Slip around your neck, but it won't slip back again
Noting that the knot may tighten around one's neck but won't loosen or slip off.
Hangknot, hangknot, that hangknot.
Repeating the term "hangknot" to emphasize the focus on the noose used for hanging.
Did you ever lose your father on a hangknot?
Asking if someone has experienced losing their father due to hanging.
Did you ever lose your father on a hangknot?
Repeating the question for emphasis.
They hung him from a pole, and they shot him full of holes,
Describing a tragic event where someone's father was hung and shot multiple times, left to decay hanging from a pole.
Left him there to rot on that hangknot.
Emphasizing the abandonment of the body after such a violent death.
Tell me who makes the laws for that hangknot?
Questioning who has the authority to create laws related to hangings and executions.
Who makes the laws for that hangknot?
Reiterating the question about the legislative power concerning hangings.
Who says who will go to the calaboose?
Raising the issue of who decides the punishment or imprisonment through the use of a noose.
Get the hangman's noose on a hangknot.
Linking the idea of being sent to prison (calaboose) with the hangman's noose.
I don't know who makes the law for that hangknot.
Expressing uncertainty about the authority responsible for creating laws related to hangings.
I don't know who makes the law for that hangknot.
Repeating the uncertainty about the legislative control over hangings.
But the bones of many a men are whistling in the wind,
Highlighting the deaths of many individuals, metaphorically referencing their bones whistling in the wind due to unjust laws tied to hangings.
Just because they tied their laws with a hangknot.
Attributing the deaths to laws that were unjustly associated with the hangman's noose.
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