Hanging Johnny

Well they call me hanging Johnny
Away boys, away
They call me hanging Johnny
So hang boys, hang

They say I’d hang for money
Away boys, away
But saying so is funny
So hang boys, hang

I’d hang a highway robber
Away boys, away
I’d hang the burglar jobber
So hang boys, hang

I’d hang a noted liar
Away boys, away
I’d hang a bloated friar
So hang boys, hang

Come hang and haul together
Away boys, away
Come hang for finer weather
So hang boys, hang

I’d hang a brutal mother
Away boys, away
I’d hang her and no other
So hang boys, hang

I’d hang to make things jolly
Away boys, away
I’d hang all wrong and folly
So hang boys, hang

They call me hanging Johnny
Away boys, away
They call me hanging Johnny
So hang boys, hang

Alternate version:

1. They call me hanging Johnny,
   Away, boys, away!
   They say I hang for money!
   So hang, boys, hang down!
2. They say I hanged my mother,
   Away, boys, away!
   My sisters and my brothers
   So hang, boys, hang down!
3. They say I hanged my granny,
   Away, boys, away!
   I strung her up so canny
   So hang, boys, hang down!
4. They say I hung a copper,
   Away, boys, away!
   I gave him the long dropper
   So hang, boys, hang down!
5. I’d hang the mates and skippers,
   Away, boys, away!
   I’d hang ’em by their flippers
   So hang, boys, hang down!
6. A rope, a beam, a ladder,
   Away, boys, away!
   I’ll hang ye all together
   So hang, boys, hang down!
7. Hang ’em from the yardarm,
   Away, boys, away!
   Hang the sea and buy a pigfarm
   So hang, boys, hang down!
8. They say I hang for money,
   Away, boys, away!
   Hanging ain’t bloody funny
   So hang, boys, hang down!
9. They call me hanging Johnny,
   Away, boys, away!
   Ain’t never hanged nobody
   So hang, boys, hang down!

℗ 2004 Smithsonian Folkways Recordings / 1979 Folkways Records