Three Men, Death Row

One,Desperate.

Hangman, hangman, hold it a little while,
Think I see my friends coming, Riding a many mile.

Friends, did you get some silver? Did you get a little gold?
What did you bring me, my dear friends,
To keep me from the Gallows Pole?
What did you bring me to keep me from the Gallows Pole?

I couldn't get no silver, I couldn't get no gold,
You know that we're too damn poor to keep you from the Gallows Pole.

Hangman, hangman, hold it a little while,
I think I see my brother coming, riding a many mile.

Brother, did you get me some silver? Did you get a little gold?
What did you bring me, my brother, to keep me from the Gallows Pole?

Brother, I brought you some silver, I brought a little gold,
I brought a little of everything To keep you from the Gallows Pole.
Yes, I brought you to keep you from the Gallows Pole.

Hangman, hangman, turn your head awhile,
I think I see my sister coming, riding a many mile, mile, mile.

Sister, I implore you, take him by the hand,
Take him to some shady bower, save me from the wrath of this man,
Please take him, save me from the wrath of this man, man.

Hangman, hangman, upon your face a smile,
Pray tell me that I'm free to ride, Ride for many mile, mile, mile.

Oh, yes, you got a fine sister,
She warmed my blood from cold, Brought my blood to boiling hot
To keep you from the Gallows Pole,
Your brother brought me silver,
Your sister warmed my soul,
But now I laugh and pull so hard And see you swinging on the Gallows Pole
Swingin' on the gallows pole!



Second, Hopeful

They say everything can be replaced
They say every distance is not near
So I remember every face
Of every man who put me here.

I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east
Any day now, any day now,
I shall be released.

They say every man needs protection
They say every man must fall
So I swear I see my reflection
Someplace so high above this wall.

I see my light come shining
from the west unto the east
Any day now, any day now,
I shall be released.

Standing next to me in this lonely crowd
Is a man who swears he's not to blame
All day long I hear him shout so loud
Crying out that he was framed.

I see my light come shining
from the west unto the east
Any day now, any day now,
I shall be released.




Third, Defiant.

OUT of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance 5
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade, 10
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate: 15
I am the captain of my soul.


“Gallows Pole” Written by Lead Belly
(Version I love) Performed by Led Zeppelin on “Led Zeppelin III”
“I shall be released” written by Bob Dylan
(Version I love) Performed by The Band on “The Basement Tapes”
“In Victus” By William Ernst Henley as appears in “In Hospital”.

"Death Row" is a scene I was inpired to write after listening to the songs and verses of the poem mentioned above, It is incomplete, It is one the final scenes of a play "Three Men" I hope to complete someday.