THE MAID FREED FROM THE GALLOWS—C
[_]
Notes and Queries, Sixth Series, VII, 275, 1883: communicated
by the Rev. E. Venables, Precentor of Lincoln, as
sung by a nurse-maid from Woburn, near High Wycombe,
Buckinghamshire, “between fifty and sixty years ago.”
1
‘Hold up thy hand, most righteous judge,
Hold up thy hand a while!
For here I see my own dear father,
Come tumbling over the stile.
2
‘Oh hast thou brought me silver or gold,
Or jewels, to set me free?
Or hast thou come to see me hung?
For hanged I shall be.
[OMITTED]
3
‘If I could get out of this prickly bush,
That prickles my heart so sore,
If I could get out of this prickly bush,
I'd never get in it no more.’
4
‘Oh I have brought nor silver nor gold,
Nor jewels, to set thee free;
But I have come to see thee hung,
For hanged thou shall be.
[OMITTED]
5
It's I have brought thee silver and gold,
And jewels, to set thee free;
I have not come to see thee hung,
For hanged thou shall not be.’
6
‘Now I have got out of this prickly bush,
That prickled my heart so sore,
And I have got out of this prickly bush,
I'll never get in it no more.’
