Lyrics

Oh it’s after morning there comes an evening
And after evening another day
And after a false love there comes a true one
It’s hard to hold them that will not stay.

My love he is as nice a man
As e’re nature framed or the sun shone on
And how to gain him I do not know
He has got his sentence for to be hung.

As he went walking up through the streets of Derry
I’m sure he marched up right manfully
He was more like a commanding officer
Than a man to die on the gallows tree.

The very first step he went up the ladder
His aged father was standing by
Come here come here my old aged father
And speak one word to me before I die.

The very next step he went up the ladder
His aged mother was standing by
Come here come here my old aged mother
And speak one word to me before I die.

The very next step he went up the ladder
His blooming colour began to pale
With heavy sighs and with dismal cries
Is there is no releasement from Derry Jail.

The very next step he climbed up the ladder
His loving clergyman was standing by
Stand back stand back you old prosecutor
I’ll let you see that he will not die.

I’ll let you see that you dare not hang him
Till his confession unto me is done
And after that that you dare not hang him
Till within ten minutes of the setting sun.

What keeps my love she’s so long a coming
Or what detains her so long from me
Or does she think it a shame or scandal
To see me die on a gallows tree.

He looked around and he saw her coming
And she rode swifter than a wind
Come down come down of that weary gallows
For I bear pardon all from the queen.

Come down come down of that weary gallows
For I bear pardon all from the queen
I’ll let them see that they will not hang you
And I’ll crown my Willie with a bunch of green.