Origins: There's Gonna Be a Hangin'

Subject: Lyr Add: THERE'S GONNA BE A HANGIN'
From: GUEST,af
Date: 25 Jul 17 - 09:34 AM

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.

Subject: Lyr Add: There's Gonna Be a Hangin' (James Dalton)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 31 Jul 17 - 07:23 AM

To avoid confusion, and because this is also a good song, I'll post this:


THERE'S GONNA BE A HANGIN'
(James Dalton)

It was one dark night; the story has been told,
And the things that I have heard, they make my blood run cold,
'Cause down by the river, an unthinkable sight:
Innocent lives were taken in the night.
Now someone's gotta die 'cause that'll make it right.
I heard someone say it: there's gonna be a hangin' tonight.

Something is wrong, because the evidence
Cannot be allowed to prove their innocence.
The law fueled the anger, the prejudice and hate.
It's trial by fury now; it's justice too late.
It's an eye for an eye, 'cause that'll make it right.
I heard someone say it: there's gonna be a hangin' tonight.

But the truth is disguised behind a veil of lies.
They're turnin' their heads and they're closin' their eyes.
There's gonna be a hangin' tonight.

Well, it's easy to see reasonable doubt.
Justice can't be served until the day they're out.
No one seems to care and no one wants to know
That they should be runnin' free instead o' sittin' on death row.
In their minds they got it figured right:
That ain't justice, 'cause justice is hangin' tonight.

But the truth is disguised behind a veil of lies.
They're turnin' their heads and they're closin' their eyes.
There's gonna be a hangin' tonight.

Yes, the truth is disguised behind a veil of lies.
They're turnin' their heads and they're closin' their eyes.
There's gonna be a hangin' tonight.


Words and music by James Dalton
As recorded by The Railbenders on "Showdown" (2006)

Subject: Lyr Add: There's Gonna Be a Hangin' (Daniel Tucek)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 31 Jul 17 - 07:58 AM

I sorta feel like I was suckered into transcribing this. But here it is, for the sake of completeness:


THERE'S GONNA BE A HANGIN'
(Daniel Charles Tucek)

SPOKEN:
This is a story about a hangin', the most famous of them all.
Though it happened a long time ago, it still pertains to all y'all;
So belly up to the bar and take a listen to what I have to tell.
The facts are in and the record shows.
I'll shoot you straight; this is how the story goes:

SUNG:
He rode into the town, rode in on a welcome mat.
His steal-borrowed burro, the crowd cheering the ubiquitous white hat.
They said he was a hero, a hero for the times.
How a week sure changes things! Now he's wanted for a long list of crimes.

There's gonna be a hangin'; just you wait and see.
There's gonna be a hangin'; the outlaw dies and we'll be free.
The outlaw dies and we'll be free.

Some said he was the leader, leader of an outlaw band.
A posse quickly got their man; he was brought before a judge's stand.
A world of guilt and trouble came beating down on him.
This will be his destiny, and it's looking, looking mighty grim.

There's gonna be a hangin'; just you wait and see.
There's gonna be a hangin'; the outlaw dies and we'll be free.
The outlaw dies and we'll be free.

All his friends are gone; his mama grieves.
They'll hang him high in between a couple of two-bit thieves.

There's gonna be a hangin'; just you wait and see.
There's gonna be a hangin'; the outlaw dies and we'll be free.
The outlaw dies and we'll be free.
We'll be free.

So that's the basic story, but it really doesn't end.
I hope you find out for yourself what happened next, my friend.


Words and music by Daniel Charles Tucek.
As recorded by The Band in Black on "High Noon" (2016)

Subject: RE: Origins: There's Gonna Be A Hangin'
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 31 Jul 17 - 09:23 AM

That leaves this information, which I found in the US Catalog of Copyright Entries:

THERE'S GONNA BE A HANGIN'
Words and music by Clint Ballard, Jr. & Larry Kusik.
© Post Music, Inc., 18May62.

By process of elimination, I figure it probably describes the lyrics that GUEST,af posted at the beginning of this thread, but I can't be sure.

Here's a description of the Heightsmen album, but it doesn't identify songwriters. The album did come out in 1962, however.

Subject: RE: Origins: There's Gonna Be a Hangin'
From: GUEST,GUEST, af
Date: 31 Jul 17 - 01:49 PM

Thanks for the help! Yea, I came across those other two songs with the same name but sadly they are not it. Still haven't found a recording of it online, but I did find an old reel-to-reel tape that I think has it on it. I'll try to take a listen this weekend.

The copyright info looks like it might be right since the years line up.

Subject: RE: Origins: There's Gonna Be a Hangin'
From: GUEST,af
Date: 01 Sep 17 - 09:13 PM

After lots of searching, I found an old reel-to-reel that my dad had. I compiled all of the info I know into this video with the recording.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sb9Uu1R7zvE

Subject: RE: Origins: There's Gonna Be a Hangin'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Sep 17 - 10:18 PM

Thanks, af-

I added your later information to the lyrics in the first post.
And thanks also to Jim Dixon, as always.

-Joe Offer, Mudcat Music Editor-

Subject: RE: Origins: There's Gonna Be a Hangin'
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Sep 17 - 10:24 PM

Dear A&F,

For the sake of comparison, please post the lyrics of your You Tube link above.

Links die quick but text lives forever.

---

Hi, Garg. You're getting inattentive in your old age. Those lyrics are in the first post in this thread. -Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Origins: There's Gonna Be a Hangin'
From: GUEST,af
Date: 07 Sep 17 - 09:52 AM

Yup it's all included in my first post. Thanks guys! I have the reel-to-reel of the entire album, maybe I'll upload the entire thing if I get the time.

Subject: RE: Origins: There's Gonna Be a Hangin'
From: robomatic
Date: 07 Sep 17 - 09:00 PM

Hurra, hurroo, there'll be an execution
It serves him right, the law makes retribution
There's going to be a killing
Hurra, hurroo, it serves him right,
Hurra, hurroo, what did he do?
He came from Syracuse
No! No! No!
Yes! Yes! Yes!
So let him plead, for what's the use?
The sap from Syracuse!

Subject: RE: Origins: There's Gonna Be a Hangin'
From: GUEST,Tal
Date: 29 Mar 19 - 03:56 AM

Thanks for all the information.
Also a childhood memory for me.
GUEST.af the youtube link is restricted. Any chance you can provide access or share it in a different way?

Thx,
Tal

Subject: RE: Origins: There's Gonna Be a Hangin'
From: GUEST,M. Roy
Date: 19 Jun 19 - 07:04 PM

Andy,
I was looking on line for info about an old album by The Heightsmen from New York University and saw your post about the "Theres's Gonna Be A Hangin" song. I have the LP album by The Heightsmen that contains that song, It was in a pile of old albums I got from an elderly neighbor house when I bought it about 20 years ago. I just thought you might be interested in the original recording. I also have the album cover. It says IR Imperial LP-9196 High Fidelity on the cover. The back of the cover has a write-up on the group and individual and list all the songs on the album. Please reply to my below email address.


Mike Roy
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Origins: There's Gonna Be a Hangin'
From: GUEST,af
Date: 20 Jun 19 - 10:19 AM

Hey @GUEST,Tal - not sure if you will see this. The video shouldn't be restricted, I'm not sure why it's not working for you.

Thanks for the info Mike - I sent you an email!

Cool to see more people finding this tune.