I sing the version collected in Hampshire by Bob Copper and published in his book - Southern Songs and Breezes (for more details see Reinhard's Mainly Norfolk link above: THE PRICKLE HOLLY BUSH. Oh Hangman stand for awhile For I think I see my own dear Mother Coming over yonder stile. Oh Mother have you got any gold Or silver to set me free, For to keep my body from the cold clay ground And my neck from high gallows tree. Oh no I’ve got no gold Nor silver to set thee free, For I have come to see you hang Hang from the high gallows tree. Oh the Prickle Holly Bush It pricked my heart full sore And if ever I get out Of the Prickle Holly Bush I’ll never get in it any more. Then - Father, Sister, Brother & Lover Etc. But lover HAS gold, etc. As sung here on my SoundCloud site...https://soundcloud.com/tim-radford/prickle-holly-bush Tim Radford
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