Quatre mélodies

She only knew the birth and death 
Of day when each that died 
Was still at morn a hope, at night 
A hope unsatisfied.

The dark trees shivered to behold 
Another day begin ; 
She, being hopeless, could not weep 
As the grey dawn came in. 

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Slack your rope, hangs a man! Slack it for a while.
I think I see my mother comin’, ridin’ many a mile.
Oh, mother have you brought me gold or have you paid my fee?
Or have you come to see me hangin’ on the gallows tree?
“I have not brought you gold. I have not paid your fee.
But I have come to see you hanging on the gallows tree.”

Slack your rope, hangs a man! Slack it for a while.
I think I see my father comin’, ridin’ many a mile.
Oh, father have you brought me gold or have you paid my fee?
Or have you come to see me hangin’ on the gallows tree?
“I have not brought you gold. I have not paid your fee.
But I have come to see you hanging on the gallows tree.”

Slack your rope, hangs a man! Slack it for a while.
I think I see my true love comin’, ridin’ many a mile.
Oh, darlin’ have you brought me gold or have you paid my fee?
Or have you come to see me hangin’ on the gallows tree?
“Yes, I have brought you gold. Yes, I have paid your fee.
I have not come to see you hanging on the gallows tree.”