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."