The Prickilie Bush

O, the prickilie bush

It pricks my heart full sore

If I ever get out of the prickilie bush

I'll never get in it anymore

Hangman, stay your rope

Will you stay it for a while

I think I see my mother coming

Ridin' over yonder stile

Mother, did you bring me gold

Or silver to pay my fee

For to save my body from the cold clay ground

My neck from the gallows tree

I didn't bring you gold

Or silver to pay your fee

But I have come to see you hang

On the gallows tree

O, the prickilie bush

It pricks my heart full sore

If I ever get out of the prickilie bush

I'll never get in it anymore

Hangman, stay your rope

Will you stay it for a while

I think I see my father comin'

Over yonder stile

Father, did you bring me gold

Or silver to pay my fee

Or have you come to see me hang

On the gallows tree

I didn't bring ya gold

Or silver to pay your fee

Your mother and I have come today

To see you on the gallows tree

O, the prickilie bush

It pricks my heart full sore

If I ever get out of the prickilie bush

I'll never get in it anymore

Hangman, stay your rope

Once more for a while

I think I see my darlin' comin'

Over yonder stile

Darlin', did you bring me gold

Or silver to pay my fee

For to save my body from the cold clay ground

My neck from the gallows tree

I brought ya gold

And silver to pay your fee

I did not come to see you hang

On the gallows tree

Oh, the prickilie bush,

It pricks my heart full sore

But now that I'm out of the prickilie bush

I'll never get in it any more