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216. The Prickle Holly Bush (Child 95) - (Traditional)

There are many versions of "The Maid Freed From the Gallows", a song about a girl who has committed a crime, the nature of which is never revealed, and is waiting for somebody to come and pay a bribe in time to free her from the hangman. This version, also known as "The Briery Bush", is unusual in that it has a chorus - as if the song is not repetitive enough already! The song is widely known throughout Europe, with fifty versions in Finland alone. This variation is more popular in England than in America, where the song is usually known as "Hangman, Hangman." It was recorded by Lead Belly under the name "Gallis Pole" and has since been recorded by many singers in many different ways. Some notable examples are Odetta, John Jacob Niles, Almeda Riddle, Jean Ritchie, Peggy Seeger, The Limeliters, The Kingston Trio and, of course, Led Zeppelin.