Gallows Pole
Led Zeppelin (Definitive Collection Mini-LP Replica) Lyrics

Hangman, hangman, hold it a little while
Asking the hangman to delay the execution for a bit

Think I see my friends coming
Spotting some of his buddies coming to rescue him

Riding a many mile
They came from afar

Friends did you get some silver?
Asking if they were able to bring him some money

Did you get a little gold?
Asking if they were able to bring him some valuable items

What did you bring me my dear friends
Curiosity about what his friends were able to bring him

To keep me from the gallows pole?
To prevent him from being hanged

I couldn't get no silver, I couldn't get no gold
His friends say they were not able to bring him what he asked for

You know that we're too damn poor
They are too poor to help him out

Hangman, hangman, hold it a little while
Asking for another delay

I think I see my brother coming
Spotting his brother arriving to help him out

Brother, did you get me some silver?
Asking if his brother was able to bring him money

Did you get a little gold?
Asking if his brother was able to bring him valuable items

What did you bring me, my brother
Curiosity about what his brother was able to bring him

To keep me from the gallows pole?
To prevent him from being hanged

Brother, I brought you some silver
His brother brought him some money

I brought a little gold,
His brother brought him some valuable items

I brought a little of everythin
His brother brought him everything he could

To keep you from the gallows pole
To prevent him from being hanged

Yes, I brought you to keep you from the gallows pole
His brother reassures him that he brought the necessary items to prevent the execution

Hangman, hangman, turn your head awhile
Asking the hangman to look the other way

I think I see my sister coming
Spotting his sister arriving to help him out

Riding a many mile, mile, mile
She also came from afar

Sister, I implore you, take him by the hand
Asking his sister to save him

Take him to some shady bower
Asking her to take him to a safe place

Save me from the wrath of this man
Asking his sister to help him avoid the hangman's punishment

Man
A slang, informal way to emphasize what he is saying

Hangman, hangman, upon your face a smile
Noticing the hangman is happy to carry out the execution

Pray tell me that I'm free to ride
Asking to be set free and ride away

Ride for many mile, mile, mile
To travel far away from the gallows

Oh, yes, you got a fine sister
Commenting on how attractive his sister is

She warmed my blood from cold
Suggesting his sister had a positive effect on him

She brought my blood to boiling hot
Further emphasizing the effects his sister had on him

To keep you from the gallows pole, pole, pole, pole, yeah
She helped him avoid being hanged

Your brother brought me silver
Commenting on the silver his brother brought him earlier

Your sister warmed my soul
Further discussing the positive effect his sister had on him

But now I laugh and pull so hard
The singer is now laughing and pulling the lever for the gallows

And see you swinging on the gallows pole, yeah
His joy at seeing the person swinging on the rope

Swingin' on the gallows pole
His satisfaction at carrying out the execution

Swingin' on the gallows pole
Repeating his satisfaction

Swingin' on the gallows pole
Repeating his satisfaction

Swingin' on the gallows pole, pole, pole, pole, pole, pole, pole, pole
Repeating his satisfaction, using repetition for emphasis