Gallows Pole

“The Maid Freed from the Gallows” is one of many titles of a centuries-old folk song about a condemned maiden pleading for someone to buy her freedom from the executioner. It was recorded in 1939 as “The Gallis Pole” by folk singer Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter, but the most famous version was the 1970 arrangement of the Fred Gerlach version by English rock band Led Zeppelin, which was titled “Gallows Pole” on the album Led Zeppelin III.

 riff :
        B --2-0-2---1-3-
        G --2-0-2---0-0-
        D --2-2-2---2-4-
       Hangman, Hangman, hold it a little while
        I think I see my friends a commin
        G                        D    riff
        ridin a many mile

        Friends you get a little silver, get a little gold
        what did you bring me, my dear friends
             G                                      D       riff
        to keep me from the gallows pole
        what did you bring me
             G                                  D       riff
        to keep me from the gallows pole

        I couldn't get no silver
        couldn't get no gold
        you know the way they took that ball
           G                                    D       riff
        to keep you from the gallows pole

        A         D G D       
        Hangman, Hangman, hold it a little while
        I think I see my brother commin
        G                       D    G A  G A  G A  G A
        ridin a many mile

        Brother you get a little silver, get a little gold
        what did you bring me, my brother
        to keep me from the gallows pole
        brother I brought you some silver
        I brought a little gold
        Brought a little of everything
        to keep you from the gallows pole
        Ya I brought you
        to keep you from the gallows pole

       Hangman, Hangman, turn your head a while
       I think I see my sister commin
        ridin a many mile mile  mile mile

        Sister I emplore you take him by the hand
        take him to some shady pass and
        sit him on the rock of his man
        please take him
        sit him on the rock of main man man

        Hangman, Hangman, on your face a smile
        tell me that I'm free to ride
        ride for many mile
        uh you've got a fine sister
        she want my blood to boil
        she want my blood to boil in her
        to keep you from the gallows pole
        Your brother brought me silver
        and your sister want my sole
        for now I laugh oh so hard
        she's swinging on my gallows pole
        for now I laugh oh so hard
        she's swinging on my gallows pole
        swinging on my gallows pole
        swinging on my gallows pole

Gallows Pole / When The Levee Breaks.mp3

Gallows Pole Alternative.mp3

Gallows Pole.mp3

Daniel — Vocals, Guitar

From the album Earthling Country
by Daniel Brouse

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