Dave:

I think we should re-read the text carefully:

Yes, a man hangs from the Easter Tree, his death-bed is a rope
Or strong nails have killed his hopes of climbing down.
His jaws are locked in agony or open for the flies to come and go –
His eyes are in the belly of the crow

A dog sits by the Easter Tree, beneath the naked heels.
His master or his meal will surely fall
When the rope is broken by the wind, or the rusty nails release their heavy load
Then the dog, well fed, continues down the road.

This text has " ... his death-bed is a rope ... Or strong nails have killed his hopes of climbing down."

and "... When the rope is broken by the wind, or the rusty nails release their heavy load ...".

These are alternatives in a song that encompasses several modes of execution.

Narrowing these meanings down to a single one leads to confusion with the broad sweep of the song.

Regards,

Bob