Oh the prickly bush
Bears my heart full of sore
And if ever I get away far of that bush
I'll never get caught any more.

So Hangman wont you wait and see.
Wont you rest your hand for a while
For me thinks I see my own true love
Coming over yonder stile.

Now father have you brought me gold
Or silver to set me free?
Or have you come just to see me hanging,
Hanging from the gallows tree?

No, son I haven't brought you gold
Or silver to set you free.
But I must watch and see as you're hanging,
Hanging from the gallows tree.

But it's oh the prickly bush
It bears my heart full of sore
And if ever I get away far of that bush
I'll never get caught any more.

So Hangman wont you wait and see.
Wont you rest your hand for a while
For me thinks I see my own true love
Coming over yonder stile.

Oh, mother have you brought me gold
Or silver to set me free?
Or have you come just to see me hanging,
Hanging from the gallows tree?

No, son I haven't brought you gold
Or silver to set you free.
But I must watch and see as you're hanging,
Hanging from the gallows tree.

But it's oh the prickly bush
It bears my heart full of sore
And if ever I get away far of that bush
I'll never get caught any more.

So Hangman wont you wait and see.
Wont you rest your hand for a while
For me thinks I see my own true love
Coming over yonder stile.

My love have you brought me gold
Or silver to set me free?
Or have you come just to see me hanging,
Hanging from the gallows tree?

Yes love I brought you gold
And silver to set you free.
But I'll that watch and see as you're hanging,
Hanging from the gallows tree.