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