Very rough demo of a heavily recast variant on a traditional theme. It’s unlikely to stay unaccompanied.

https://dharley.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/hanging-tree.mp3[or]

https://whealalicemusic.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/hanging-tree.mp3 **Hangman stay your hand awhile, Just you let me beYonder comes my father dear, He's come to pay my feeSon, I didn't bring no silverAnd I won't pay that feeI just came to see you hangingFrom that gallows treeHangman, stay your hand awhileDon't you tie that nooseI think I see my mama comeWith gold to turn me looseI've got no gold or silverAnd I can't pay that feeI just came to see you hangingHanging from the gallows treeDon't put that noose around my neckJust you let it beYonder comes my sweetheart dearShe's come to set me freeHoney did you bring silverOr gold to pay my fineAnd save me from this bitter ropeAnd save this soul of mineI sure ain't paid your fineIt does no good to curseNo silver in my pocketNo gold in my purseNo one's riding through the nightIn hopes to set you freeBut I'll be watching as they hang youFrom that hanging treeI'll be laughing as they cut you downFrom the hanging tree** There is, of course a multitude of songs where the potential hanging victim is saved by his/her sweetheart paying his fine (The Gallows Pole, The Prickly Bush etc.), and others where there’s no option of paying his way out of the execution (Derwentwater’s Farewell, The Sheffield Apprentice), or it’s too late to derail the process (Geordie/Georgie) but I didn’t remember one where the sweetheart, presumably in revenge for some slight or injury, came to watch with no intention of effecting a rescue. Maybe at some point I’ll write about the backstory…