I've been looking for the origins or a recording of this song. My dad used to play it on guitar. I was able to find a typed up sheet of lyrics in the house. I also was able to find that a band called The Heightsmen possibly recorded it, but other than that, I can't find much info.
THERE'S GONNA BE A HANGIN'
(Clint Ballard, Jr. & Larry Kusik)
The night was full of gunfire; the streets were stained with red,
And when the smoke had cleared away, they found the sheriff dead.
The posse caught a stranger and threw him into jail,
For there were cries of stick em up, they held him without bail.
There's gonna be a hanging in the morning.
They're going to have a trial right here tonight.
There's gonna be a hanging in the morning.
They'll hoist him up as soon as it gets light.
They pulled him from the jail house; they weren't gonna wait.
Then someone cried: "Let's hold a trial; it's gettin' kind of late."
He screamed: "I didn't do it"; he should have saved his breath.
A witness came and swore he did; they sentenced him to death.
There's gonna be a hanging in the morning.
Some say the prisoner never had a chance.
There's gonna be a hanging in the morning.
They'll tie him to a rope and let him dance.
The first gray light of morning crept slowly through the bars.
He knew he'd never live to see another night of stars.
He called out for the mother he hadn't seen in years,
And vowed he'd go out like a man as he fought back the tears.
There's gonna be a hanging in the morning.
He's gonna pay the final penalty.
There's gonna be a hanging in the morning.
The fellow who'll be hanging there is me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sb9Uu1R7zvE
There's Gonna Be A Hangin' - The Heightsmen (1962)
There is limited information on this song and The Heightsmen. I believe this song was by Clint Ballard, Jr. & Larry Kusik, © Post Music, Inc., May 18, 1962. All four members of The Heightsmen were students at New York University (NYU) when this was recorded. Their name is taken from the fact that NYU had a campus located in University Heights. In 1973, NYU, faced with financial hardship, chose to sell the Heights and it became the home of Bronx Community College.
The Heightsmen are Bob Lichtenfield, Allan Kaiden, Bill Stammer, and Jeff Chase.
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