The Prickle Eye Bush (traditional from Child Ballad 95 the maid saved from the gallows)
A D G D A
“Oh hangman, stay your hand, Stay it for a while,
D G D A D
For I think I see my sister coming over yonder stile.”
A D G D A
"Oh sister, have you brought me gold? Or silver to set me free?
D G D A D
For to save my body from the cold, cold ground and my neck from the gallows tree.”
A D G D A
“Oh no, I have not brought you gold or silver to set you free
D G D A D
for to save your body from the cold, cold ground and your neck from the gallows tree.”
A D G D A
Oh, the prickle-eye bush that pricks my heart full sore
D G D A D
And if ever I get out of this prickle-eye bush then I will never get in it any more.
A D G D A
“Oh hangman, stay your hand, Stay it for a while,
D G D A D
For I think I see my mother coming over yonder stile.”
A D G D A
"Oh mother, have you brought me gold? Or silver to set me free?
D G D A D
For to save my body from the cold, cold ground and my neck from the gallows tree.”
A D G D A
“Oh no, I have not brought you gold or silver to set you free
D G D A D
for to save your body from the cold, cold ground and your neck from the gallows tree.”
A D G D A
Oh, the prickle-eye bush that pricks my heart full sore
D G D A D
And if ever I get out of this prickle-eye bush then I will never get in it any more.
D
A D G D A
“Oh hangman, stay your hand, Stay it for a while,
D G D A D
For I think I see my true love coming over yonder stile.”
A D G D A
"Oh lover, have you brought me gold? Or silver to set me free?
D G D A D
For to save my body from the cold, cold ground and my neck from the gallows tree.”
A D G D A
O Yes, I have brought you gold and silver to set you free
D G D A D
for to save your body from the cold, cold ground and your neck from the gallows tree.”
A D G D A
Oh, the prickle-eye bush that pricks my heart full sore
D G D A D
And now that I’m out of this prickle-eye bush then I will never get in it any more.
