O hangman, stay your hand
And won't you it for a while,
I think I see my mother coming
Over the yonder style.
Mother, have you brought me gold
Or is there silver to pay my fee
Or have you come to see me hanging
All on the gallows tree?
Oh I haven't brought you gold
Or silver to pay your fee
Oh I've not come to see you hanging
On the gallows tree.
Hangman, stay your hand
And won't you it for a while,
Or I think I see my brother coming
All he's all on yonder style.
Brother, have you brought me gold
Or is there silver to pay my fee
Or have you come to see me hanging
All on the gallows tree?
No I haven't brought you gold
Or silver to pay your fee
But I have come to see you hanging
On the gallows tree.
Oh the prickly bush
Won't you prick my heart full sore
And if ever I get out of that prickly bush
I'll never get in it any more.
Well true love, have you brought me gold
Or silver to pay my fee
Or have you come to see me hanging
On the gallows tree?
Oh no I haven't brought you gold
Or silver to pay my fee
But I have come to set you from hanging
On the gallows tree.
Oh the prickly bush
Won't you prick my heart full sore
And if ever I get out of the prickly bush
I'll never get in it any more.