Slack your rope, hangman, slack it for a while
I think I see my father coming riding many a mile
Father have you brought me hope or have you paid my fee
Or have you come to see me hanging from the gallows tree?

I have not brought you hope, I have not paid your fee
Yes, I have come to see you hanging from the gallows tree

Slack your rope, hangman, slack it for a while
I think I see my mother coming riding many a mile
Mother have you brought me hope or have you paid my fee
Or have you come to see me hanging from the gallows tree?

I have not brought you hope, I have not paid your fee
Yes, I have come to see you hanging from the gallows tree

Slack your rope, hangman, slack it for a while
I think I see my brother coming riding many a mile
Brother have you brought me hope or have you paid my fee
Or have you come to see me hanging from the gallows tree?

I have not brought you hope, I have not paid your fee
Yes, I have come to see you hanging from the gallows tree

Slack your rope, hangman, slack it for a while
I think I see my true love coming riding many a mile
True love have you brought me hope or have you paid my fee
Or have you come to see me hanging from the gallows tree?

Yes, I have brought you hope, yes I have paid your fee
For I've not come to see you hanging from the gallows tree