Lyrics:
Hang me, oh, hang me, I’ll be dead and gone
Hang me, oh, hang me, I’ll be dead and gone
I wouldn’t mind the hangin’, but, the layin’ in the grave so long, poor boy
I’ve been all around this world
I been all around Cape Girardeau, parts of Arkansas
I been all around Cape Girardeau, parts of Arkansas
I got so goddamned hungry I could hide behind a straw, poor boy
I’ve been all around this world
Went up on a mountain, there I made my stand
Went up on a mountain, there I made my stand
A rifle on my shoulder and a dagger in my hand, poor boy
I’ve been all around this world
Took me to the courthouse boys; there I had a crowd
Took me to the courthouse boys, there I had a crowd
The judge, he chose the hangin’; had to leave my wife and child, poor boy
I’ve been all around this world
Put the rope around my neck, they hung me up so high
Put the rope around my neck and hung me up so high
The last words that I heard them say,
“Won’t be long now ‘fore you die, poor boy”
I’ve been all around this world
Additional Verses
Well mama and papa, little sister makes three
Mama and papa, little sister makes three
Tommorow you can see me out hangin from the gallows tree
-or-
They’re coming in the morning, that’s the last you’ll see of me
I’ve been all around this world
-The Fox Hunt / Grateful Dead
I’ve been working for John Henry, he’s a mighty hard man to please
I’ve been working for John Henry, he’s a mighty hard man to please
I’ve been working all that new railroad with mud up to my knees
Load up, been all around this world
(?), you better open up that door
I say (?), you better open that door
If you don’t open up that door, I’ll comin’ with my .44
Load up, been all around this world (Yeah)
I’ve travelled to Virginia, with the woman on my mind
I’ve travelled to Virginia, with the woman on my mind
I had a woman all along and she’s no longer mine
Load up, been all around this world
You know that I’m a reverend, God; I always chase the blues
You know that I’m a reverend, God; I always chase the blues
On my (?) just standing here, so I’m running after you
Load up, been all around this world
-Parsonsfield
My pappy was a gambler; he taught me how to play
Pappy was a gambler; taught me how to play
Said “Never go a-beggin’,when you hold the ace and trey”
Poor boy, I’ve been all around this world
Lulu, my Lulu, come and open your door
Lulu, my Lulu, come and open your door
Before I have to open it with my old .44
I’ve been all around this world
From Art Thieme:
Daddy was a rounder, killed a mile and a half from here
My daddy was a rounder, killed a mile and a half from here
Caught me makin’ whisky and I had to clear out of there
I’ve been all around this world
Lyrics Published in Ballads and Songs (1917)
Collected by Miss Frances Barbour in 1917 from the singing of Minnie Doyel of Arlington, Phelps County, MO. Published under the title “The Gambler” in H. M. Belden’s 1940 collection, Ballads and Songs Collected By the Missouri Folk-Lore Society. These same words appear earlier in Louise Pound’s 1922 collection, American Songs and Ballads.
My father was a gambler, he learnt [sic] me how to play
My father was a gambler, he learnt me how to play
Saying, “Son, don’t go a-begging when you hold the ace and tray
When you hold the ace and tray”
Hang me, O hang me, and I’ll be dead and gone
Hang me, O hang me, and I’ll be dead and gone
I wouldn’t mind the hanging, it’s bein’ gone so long
It’s layin’ in my grave so long
They took me down to old Fort Smith as sick as I could be
They took me down to old Fort Smith as sick as I could be
They handed me a letter saying, “Son, come home to me”
Saying, “Son, come home to me”
My father and my mother and my little sister makes three
My father and my mother and my little sister makes three
They all came to the gallows to see the last of me
To see the last of me
They put the rope around my neck and drew me very high
They put the rope around my neck and drew me very high
And the words I heard sayin’ was, “It won’t be long till he’ll die
It won’t be long till he’ll die”
Lyrics Published in Ozark Folksongs, Vol. II (1929)
Two versions, both published in Vance Randolph’s 1946 collection, Ozark Folksongs, Vol. II: Songs of the South and West.
Mr. Billy Laws, Argenta, Ark., Dec. 12, 1917, told me that this piece was part of a long ballad about a murderer who was hanged at Fort Smith, Ark., in the [18]70’s; the letter mentioned in the song, according to Mr. Laws, was a decoy sent by the sheriff in order to effect the fugitive capture. Pound (American Ballads and Songs, 1922, p. 130) prints a shorter version which was “secured for H. M. Belden by Miss Grances Barbour, Washington University, from the singing of Minnie Doge at Arlington, Phelps County, Missouri, in 1917.” In Pound’s text the gambler received his letter “in old Fort Smith”–presumably For Smith, Ark.–instead of at some undesignated point in Missouri. The third stanza of the following piece has a parallel in “Moonlight,” which Sandburg (American Songbag, 1927, p. 216) regards as the original of the famous “Prisoner’s Song,” also in the sixth stanza of “Wild Bill Jones” as reported from the Southern mountains by Spaeth (Weep Some More, My Lady, 1927, p.134). Some verses of “My Father Was A Gambler” are often introduced into another old song “The Roving Gambler,” which has a very different melody.
A. My Father Was a Gambler
Sung by Mrs. W. E. Jones of Pineville, MO on January 8th, 1929.
My father was a gambler, he l’arnt [sic] me how to play
My father was a gambler, he l’arnt [sic] me how to play
Sayin’, son, don’t go a-beggin’ while you got the ace an’ trey
Hang me, oh hang me, an’ I’ll be dead and gone
Hang me, oh hang me, an’ I’ll be dead and gone
I wouldn’t mind the hangin’, but to lay in my grave so long
To lay in my grave so long
Down in old Missouri, as sick as I could be
Down in old Missouri, as sick as I could be
Along comes a letter sayin’, son come home to me
If I had of [sic] minded momma, I wouldn’t be here today
If I had of minded momma, I wouldn’t be here today
But I was young an’ foolish and easily persuaded away
To lay in my grave so long
Father an’ mother an’ little sister makes three
Father an’ mother an’ little sister makes three
A-marchin’ to the gallows for to see the last of me
They put the rope around my neck an’ drawed [sic] me very high
They put the rope around my neck an’ drawed [sic] me very high
The last words I heerd [sic] ’em say was it won’t be long till he’ll die
B. Blue-Stone Mountain (Tommy’s Hanging Day)
Sung by Mr. Wythe Bishop of Fayetteville, AR on December 9th, 1941.
I’ll go on Blue-Stone Mountain and there I’ll take my stand
I’ll go on Blue-Stone Mountain and there I’ll take my stand
My rifle on my shoulder, revolvers in my hand
Hang me, oh hang me, and I’ll be dead and gone
Hang me, oh hang me, and I’ll be dead and gone
I would not mind the hangin’, but layin’ in the grave so long
I have one little brother and two little sisters makes three
I have one little brother and two little sisters makes three
To follow me down to the gallows tree and see the last of me
I’ve been all around this world, but never was in jail before
I’ve been all around this world, but never was in jail before
Oh send for my two babies to come and see me die
Oh send for my two babies to wring their hands and cry
Lyrics Published in The Hobo's Hornbook (1930)
Published under the title “I’ve Been All Around the World” in George Millburn’s 1930 book of hobo songs, The Hobo’s Hornbook. Millburn notes, “This section, set to a traditional mountain tune, is sometimes called ‘The Hobo’s Lament.'”
Bring to me my supper, boys, I’ll eat her done or raw
Bring to me my supper, boys, I’ll eat her done or raw
For I haven’t had a square meal since I left Arkansas
Gaw damn, I’ve been all around the world
The railroad is finished, boys, the cars is on the track
The railroad is finished, boys, the cars is on the track
You can take from me my baby, but money will bring her back
Gaw damn, I’ve been all around the world
Come to me, my honey, and I will pay your fine
Come to me, my honey, and I will pay your fine
And each and all your troubles, I surely will make mine
Gaw damn, I’ve been all around the world
The bulls will never get me, and I will tell you why
The bulls will never get me, and I will tell you why
For I’m going to wander, and travel till I die
Gaw damn, I’ve been all around the world
Lyrics Sung By Justus Begley (1937)
Started out from Memphis, two dollars and a dime
I started out from Memphis, boys, two dollars and a dime
I landed in the desert, boys, and I did not have my shine
God knows, I been all around this world
Went to work on the railroad, boys, in mud up to my knees
I went to work on the railroad, boys, in mud up to my knees
The boss come ’round to boss me, boys, I done just as I please
God knows, I done went all around this world
I went up to the midway with money to shoot some dice
I went up to the midway with money to shoot some dice
They took from me my money, boys, I think they would take my life
God knows, I been all around this world
The new railroad is finished now, the cars are on the tracks
The new railroad is finished, boys, the cars are on the tracks
My lily girl has left me boys, I know that she won’t come back
God knows, I been all around this world
I went to the Blue Ridge Mountains, there I take up my stand
I went to the Blue Ridge Mountains, boys, there I take up my stand
With a rifle on my shoulder, boys, a six shooter in my hand
God knows, I been all around this world
The officers comes and they arrested me and they taken me down to jail
The officers came, they arrested me and they taken me down to jail
They said to me, “Young fellow, now, you know you’re allowed no bail?”
God knows, I been all around this world
They taken me to the courthouse, boys, there I had a crowd
They taken me to the courthouse, boys, there I had a crowd
The sentence, it was go hang me and leave my wife and child
God knows I been all around this world
The sentence, it was go hang me; Oh well, I don’t care if you do
The sentence, it was go hang me; Oh well, don’t care if you do
But watch out boys, when you hang me, it’s liable to injure you
God knows, I been all around this world
There’s father and there’s mother, boys, little sister make three
There’s father and there’s mother, boys, little sister make three
Came weeping through the gallows, boys, to see the last of me
God knows, Woulda been all around this world
You all can sing this song, old boys, when I am dead and gone
You all can sing this song, boys, when I am dead and gone
Just think about old Justice, boys, they sung it ‘fore he was gone
God knows, but he went all around this world
Lyrics Sung by Sam Hilton (1961)
Copied from the liner notes of Sam Hilton’s 1961 Folkways album, The Songs of Men. In the liner notes, Sam gives that he learned the song from Sam Eskin
Hang me oh hang me until I’m dead and gone
Rang me oh hang me until I’m dead and gone
I don’t mind your hangin’ me
It’s layin’ in the grave so long God knows
I’ve been all around this world
I’ve been all around Cape Jerdo and parts of Arkansas
All around Cape Jerdo and through parts of Arkansas
Got so awful hungry
I couldn’t work my under-jaw God knows
I’ve been all around this world
Went up on Greenwood Mountain there to take my stand
Up on Greenwood Mountain there to take my stand
Rifle over my shoulder
Had my six-gun in my hand God knows
I’ve been all around this world
My pappy was a gambler, he taught me how to play
Pappy was a gambler and he taught me how to play
Said, “Son dontcha never go a-beggin’
When you hold the ace and the trey,” God knows
I’ve been all around this world
They put the rope around my neck and hung me very high
Put the rope around my neck and hung me very high
The very last words that I heard ’em say
Was “It won’t be long ’til you die, poor boy,
He’s been all around this world”
Variant: The Blue Ridge Mountains
A. On Blue Ridge Mountain
From the singing of Walter Vaughn of Springfield, MO on April 7th, 1958. (Cat. #0053)
I walked out last winter, the air was cold and chilly
I walked out last winter, the air was cold and chilly
I walked out last winter, the air was cold and chilly
Upon the Blue Ridge Mountains, that black-eyed girl to find
God knows, been all around the world
I bummed my way to Dalton, six dollars and a dime
I bummed my way to Dalton, six dollars and a dime
I bummed my way to Dalton, six dollars and a dime
I bummed my way to Dalton, that black-eyed girl to find
God knows, been all around the world
Been all around Cape Gireadeau an’ parts of Arkansas
Been all around Cape Gireadeau an’ parts of Arkansas
Been all around Cape Gireadeau and parts of Arkansas
I got so awful hungry, couldn’t raise my underjaw
God knows, been all around the world
B. The Blue Ridge Mountians
From the singing of Mrs. Frances Majors of Fayetteville, AR on May 23rd, 1959. She learned it from Sam Stewart, who probably learned it in indigenous territory in the 1870’s or 1880’s. (Cat. #0338)
I rode those prairies over, I rode those prairies ’round
I rode those prairies over, I rode those prairies ’round
Whenever I come to a big fat steer, I fanned, I shot him down
God knows, I been all around this world
Was for the charge of cattle stealing, I had to leave the range
For the charge of cattle stealing. I had to leave the range
God knows, I been all around this world
Was in the Blue Ridge mountains where I first took my stand
Was in the Blue Ridge mountains that I first took my stand
Six shooters buckled around me, Winchester in my hand
God knows, I been all around this world
O, where was I last winter, boys
When the cold, cold frost and snow
O, where was I last winter, boys
When the wind blowed frosty and cold
I’se climbing the Blue Ridge mountains
I’se hungry and damn nigh froze, God knows
I been all around this world
Was down in Bonham, Texas when they landed me in jail
Was down in Bonham, Texas where they landed me in jail
No one to go my security, no one to go my bail
God knows, I been all around this world
The jury found me guilty, the clerk, he wrote it down
The jury found me guilty, the clerk, he wrote it down
The judge, he passed the sentence
God knows, I been all around this world
Go and tell my sweetheart tomorrow’s my hangin’ day
Go and tell my sweetheart tomorrow’s my hangin’ day
If she don’t want to see me, she’ll have to stay away
God knows, I been all around this world
Hang me, O hang me, and I’ll be dead and gone
Hang me, O hang me, and I’ll be dead and gone
Well, I don’t mind your hangin’, but it’s laying in the ground so long
God knows, I been all around this world
C. Blue Ridge Mountain
From the singing of Virgil Lance of Mountain Home, Arkansas on April 15th, 1969. (Cat. #0703)
Hang me, O hang me, then I’ll be dead an’ gone
Hang me, O hang me, then I’ll be dead an’ gone
I wouldn’t mind the hangin’, but lyin’ in the grave so long
God knows, been all around this world
Upon the Blue Ridge Mountains, I’ll make my last stand
Upon the Blue Ridge Mountains, I’ll make my last stand
My rifle on my shoulder, my pistol in my hand
God knows, been all around this world
Bring me my dinner, boys, I’ll eat ‘er done or raw
Bring me my dinner, boys, I’ll eat ‘er done or raw
I haven’t had a square meal since I left Arkansas
God knows, been all around this world
Bring me my dinner, boys, I’ll eat ‘er on this block
Bring me my dinner, boys, I’ll eat it on this block
I haven’t had a square meal since I left Little Rock
God knows, been all around this world
Hang me, O hang me, then I’ll be dead an’ gone
Hang me, O hang me, then I’ll be dead an’ gone
I wouldn’t mind the hangin’, but lyin’ in the grave so long
God knows, been all around this world
D. Blue Ridge Mountain
From the singing of Lucy Bird of Mountain Home, Arkansas on December 31st, 1971. (Cat. #1385)
Upon the Blue Ridge Mountain, it’s there I’ll take my stand
Upon the Blue Ridge Mountain, it’s there that I’ll take my stand
My rifle on my shoulder, six shooter in my hand
God knows, I’ve been all around this world
My partners been arrested an’ taken off to ail
My partners been arrested an’ taken off to jail
Up steps his poor ole Father, no money to go his bail
God knows, I’ve been all around this world
Just two loyal sisters, an’ mamma, she makes three
Just two loyal sisters, an’ mamma, she makes three
Are going to the gallas [gallows] to see the last of me
God knows, I’ve been all around this world
Tomorrow is hanging day, O hang me till I’m dead
Tomorrow is hanging day, O hang me till I’m dead
I haven’t had a square meal Since I left ole Arkansas
God knows, I’ve been all around this world
Variant: Dixon and Johnson
From the singing of Miss Mary Drain of Farmington, AR on December 9th, 1941. She learned the song from her father, who in turn learned it from his uncle around 1910. Published in Vance Randolph’s 1949 collection, Ozark Folksongs, Vol. I: British Ballads and Songs.
Dixon and Johnson went riding out one day
Dixon and Johnson went riding out one day
They road up on a mountain ten thousand miles away
Oh lord, I’ve been all around this world
They rode up on a woman, as cold as cold or more
They rode up on a woman, as cold as cold or more
He wrapped her in his coat and set her up behind him
Oh lord, I’ve been all around this world
Dixon being wearied lie down to take a rest
Dixon being wearied lie down to take a rest
Up stepped this cruel, old woman and stobbed [sic] him in the breast
Oh lord, I’ve been all around this world
She taken him to the parlor and cooled him with her fan
She taken him to the parlor and cooled him with her fan
She whispered low in her mother’s ear, I love this gamblin’ man
Oh lord, I’ve been all around this world
Oh woman, oh woman, now see what you have done
Oh woman, oh woman, now see what you have done
You’ve killed your bravest soldier, and liable to be hung
Oh lord, I’ve been all around this world
They taken her out on the mountain and told her not to run
They taken her out on the mountain and told her not to run
All they gave to her was a pistol and a gun
Oh lord, I’ve been all around this world
The railroad is finished, the cars are on the track
The railroad is finished, the cars are on the track
Trouble will drive a boy from home, but money will bring him back
Oh lord, I’ve been all around this world
Variant: Hangman
Collected by Max Hunter from the singing of Sam Osterloh of Freistatt, Missouri on March 12, 1975. (MFH 248, Cat. #1510)
Slack your rope, hangman, slack it for a while
I think I see my father comin’, ridin’ for many a mile
Have you brought me hope? Or have you paid my fee?
Or have you come to see me hangin’, from the gallows tree?
I have not brought you hope, I have not paid your fee
Yes, I have come to see you hangin’, from the gallows tree
Slack your rope, hangman, slack it for a while
I think I see my mother comin’, ridin’ for many a mile
Have you brought me hope? Or have you paid my fee?
Or have you come to see me hangin’ from th gallows tree?
I have not brought you hope, I have not paid your fee
Yes, I have come to see you hangin’ from the gallows tree
Slack your rope, hangman, slack it for a while
I think I see my brother comin’, ridin’ for many a mile
Have you brought me hope? Or have you paid my fee?
Or have you come to see me hangin’ from the gallows tree?
I have not brought you hope, I have not paid your fee
Yes, I have come to see you hangin’ from the gallows tree
Slack your rope, hangman, slack it for a while
I think I see my true love comin’, ridin’ for many a mile
Have you brought me hope? Or have you paid my fee?
Or have you come to see me hangin’ from the gallows tree?
Yes, I have brought you hope, yes, I have paid your fee
Cause I have come to save your hangin’ from the gallows tree
From the gallows tree
Variant: The Horsetrader's Song
As published in Alan Lomax’s 1960 book, The Folk Songs of North America: In the English Language. Collected from Fred Woodruff of Arkansas in 1941, who learned it in 1900 from Ozark Folksongs, Vol. III by Vance Randolph.
It’s do you know those horse traders, it’s do you know their plan?
It’s do you know those horse traders, it’s do you know their plan?
Their plan it is for to snide you and git [sic] whatever they can
Lord, Lord, I been all around this world
They’ll send their women from house to house to git whatever they can
They’ll send their women from house to house to git whatever they can
O yander [sic] she comes a-runnin’ boys, with a hog-jaw in each hand
Lord, Lord, I been all around this world
It’s look in front of our horses, boys, O yander comes a man
It’s look in front of our horses, boys, O yander comes a man
If I don’t git to snide him, I won’t get nary a dram
Lord, Lord, I been all around this world
O now we stop for supper boys, we’ve found a creek at last
O now we stop for supper boys, we’ve found a creek at last
O now we stop for supper boys, to turn out on the grass
Lord, Lord I been all around this world
Go saddle up your snides, boys, and tie ‘em to the rack
Go saddle up your snides, boys, and tie ‘em to the rack
The first man that gets ‘em will pay us to take ‘em back
Lord, Lord, I been all around this world
Come on now, boys, let’s go git a drink of gin
Come on now, boys, let’s go git a drink of gin
For yander comes the women boys, to bring us to camp agin [sic]
Lord, Lord, I been all around this world
Variant: Working On the New Railroad
Well, I’m working on the new railroad with mud up to my knees
I’m working on the new railroad with mud up to my knees
I’m digging for big John Henry and he’s so hard to please
And I’ve been all around this world
Once I had an old grey horse and Arrow was his name
Once I had an old grey horse and Arrow was his name
They caught me a-making whiskey and they took away all my claim
And I’ve been all around this world
Single girl, single girl, where’d you get that dress so fine
Single girl, single girl, where’d you get that dress so fine
When you get married, go raggedy all the time
And I’ve been all around this world
Single girl, single girl, go spend your days in town
Single girl, single girl, go spend your days in town
When you get married, work till the sun goes down
And I’ve been all around this world
Single girl, single girl, go out whenever you please
Single girl, single girl, go out whenever you please
When you get married, babies all over your knees
And I’ve been all around this world
When you go a-fishing, well, you take a hook and line
When you go a-fishing, well, you take a hook and line
When you go a-courting, don’t never look behind
And I’ve been all around this world
When you meet a rich girl, well, you pass her on down the line
When you meet a rich girl, well, you pass her on down the line
When you meet a poor girl, just ask her to be mine
And I’ve been all around this world
Well, the new railroad is ready, boys, and the cars are on the track
Well, the new railroad is ready, boys, and the cars are on the track
And if our women leave us, money’ll bring ’em back
And I’ve been all around this world
Cowboy Variant
Published under the title “I’ve Been All Around This World” in Austin E. & Alta S. Fife in their 1969 collection, Cowboy and Western Songs: A Comprehensive Anthology. Collected from the singing of Bob Duncan.
Way up on the Osage mountain where the wind blows chilly and cold,
Way up on the Osage mountain where the wind blows chilly and cold,
Where I hid out last winter, starved and very nearly froze;
Lord knows I’ve been all around this world.
Way up on the Osage mountains, it’s there I made my stand,
Way up on the Osage mountains, it’s there I made my stand,
With a Winchester on my saddle and a six-shooter in each hand.
Lord knows, I’ve been all around this world.
They arrested me on Broadway Street and there they made me stand,
They arrested me on Broadway Street and there they made me stand,
With a six-shooter in my face and shackles on my hands.
Lord knows, I’ve been all around this world.
Well, I took off my overcoat and I hung it on my wall,
Well, I took off my overcoat and I hung it on my wall,
Whipped out two six-shooters, God knows I made them bawl.
Lord knows, I’ve been all around this world.
Oh hang me, oh hang me, oh hang me good and high,
Oh hang me, oh hang me, oh hang me good and high,
And telegraph to mother to come and see me die.
Lord knows, I’ve been all around this world.
There’s mother and father, little sister she counts three,
There’s mother and father, little sister she counts three,
To follow down to the gallows and see the last of me.
Lord knows, I’ve been all around this world.
The railroad is finished, the cars is on the track,
The railroad is finished, the cars is on the track,
Just telegraph to mother, her money will bring me back.
Lord knows, I’ve been all around this world.
Composite: I've Been All Around This World / Handsome Molly
Arranged by Charlie Ipcar, 2003
Well, I’m working on the new railroad, the mud up to my knees
Working on the new railroad, the mud up to my knees
Digging for big John Henry, he’s so hard to please
Been all around this world
When you’re lining track, me boys, be sure you line ’em right
When you’re lining track, me boys, be sure you line ’em right
Big John Henry, if he ain’t pleased, you’ll be working through the night
Been all around this world
When you goes a-fishing, boys, you takes a hook and line
When you goes a-fishing, boys, you takes a hook and line
And when you go a-courting, don’t leave your bait behind
Been all around this world
Well, I went to town last Friday night, my Molly passed me by
I went to town last Friday night, my Molly passed me by
I could tell her mind was a-changin’, by the roving of her eye;
Been all around this world
“Now where’d you get them high-heeled shoes, that dress you wear so fine?
Where’d you get them high-heeled shoes, that dress you wear so fine?”
“Got my shoes from an engineer, my dress from a driver in the mine;”
Been all around this world
Now do you remember, Molly, when you took me by the hand?
Do you remember, Molly, when you took me by the hand?
You said if you ever married, that I would be the man
Been all around this world
Now the new railroad is ready, boys, the cars they’s on the track
The new railroad is ready, boys, the cars they’s on the track
Gonna catch me a long gray train, never more look back
Been all around this world
Well, I’m working on the new railroad, the mud up to my knees
Working on the new railroad, the mud up to my knees
Digging for big John Henry, he’s so hard to please
Been all around this world
• More Recordings •
About the Song:
“Hang Me, Oh Hang Me”, better known in history as “The Gambler”, is a classic example of the poetry possible in folk-lyric. Its earliest extant documentation was made in 1917, when Miss Grances Barbour collected the song from Minnie Doyel of Arlington, Phelps Co, MO. It was first published five years later in Louise Pound’s collection, American Songs and Ballads. According to Billy Laws of Argenta (present-day North Little Rock), Pulaski Co, AR in Vance Randolph’s Ozark Folksongs, Vol. II: Songs of the South and West (1946), the song is an abbreviated version of a much longer ballad about a murderer who was hanged at Fort Smith, AR in the 1870’s.
H. M. Belden, in his 1955 collection Ballads and Songs Collected by the Missouri Folk-Lore Society, proposes an alternate origin, instead linking the song to two African American pieces, both given without titles. One stanza Belden provides was collected from a formerly enslaved person awaiting sale in Savannah, GA and is remarkably similar to the refrain of “Hang Me”:
I don’ mind dyin’, but I got to go by myself
I don’ mind dyin’, but I got to go by myself
Oh I don’ mind dyin’, if dyin’ was all
Lawd, I don’ mind dyin’, if dyin’ was all!
Belden also notes its similarity to a religious song collected in 1925 from Ed Lloyd of Creedmoor, NC and published in Newma I. White’s 1928 collection, American Negro Folk-Songs. The two verses provided very well could be the origin of the “ace and trey” verse in “Hang Me”, but the broader piece lacks the structure found in his first example.
Alan Lomax also collected a version from the playing of Justus Begley, sheriff of Hazard, Perry Co, KY in 1937. Lomax refers to Justus as the “composer.” I have not yet found several verses Begley used in his rendition in other sources from around the same time or earlier, but it’s safe to say that Begley’s claims of outright composition are inflated beyond his contribution.
Nowadays, most people, including myself, learned the song from Dave Van Ronk’s recording from his 1962 album, Folksinger. His rendition was unique in its inclusion of the line “I could hide behind a straw,” being grafted over from the traditional song “The State of Arkansas” and substituting for the traditional “I couldn’t work my under-jaw.” Cape Girardeau most likely refers to Cape Girardeau, MO.
Other titles include: “(I’ve) Been All Around This World”, “Cape Girardeau”, “The Hobo’s Lament”, “The Hobo Blues”
Parent Song: “The Gambler”
Variants: The Blue Ridge Mountains, Working On The New Railroad, Hangman
Related Songs: “The Roving Gambler”
Learned from Dave Van Ronk’s 1962 album, Folksinger.