[Verse 1] 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? [Refrain] I have not brought you hope, I have not paid your fee Yes I have come to see you hangin' from the gallows tree [Verse 2] 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? [Refrain] I have not brought you hope, I have not paid your fee Yes I have come to see you hangin' from the gallows tree [Verse 3] 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? [Refrain] I have not brought you hope, I have not paid your fee Yes I have come to see you hangin' from the gallows tree [Verse 4] Slack your rope hangman, slack it for a while I think I see my true love comin' ridin' 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? [Refrain] 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