Blind Lemon Jefferson - Hangman's Blues

Hangman's rope sho' is tough and strong
Hangman's rope sho' is tough and strong
They gonna hang me because I did something wrong

I wanna tell you the gallis¹ Lord's a fearful sight
I wanna tell you the gallis Lord's a fearful sight
Hang me in the mornin', and cut me down at night

Mean ole hangman is waitin' to tighten up that noose
Mean ole hangman is waitin' to tighten up that noose
Lord, I'm so scared I'm trembling in my shoes

Jury heard my case and they said my hands was red
Jury heard my case and they said my hands was red
And judge he sentenced me be hanging till I'm dead

Crowd 'round the courthouse and the time is going fast
Crowd 'round the courthouse and the time is going fast
Soon a good-for-nothin' killer is gonna breath his last

Lord, I'm almost dyin', gasping for my breath
Lord, I'm almost dyin', gasping for my breath
And a triflin'² woman waiting to celebrate my death

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Note: in some states that had the death penalty, hanging was still the preferred method of execution until the 1950's. Nowadays all states have converted to poison injections, gas or the electric chair. Issued by Paramount under catalogue no. 12679B;
Note 1: gallis, gallows, a frame usually of two upright posts and a transverse beam from which criminals are hanged, called also gallows tree;
Note 2: triflin', to talk in a jesting or mocking manner or with intent to delude or mislead or to treat someone or something as unimportant.