The Hangman's Rope

The Hangman’s Rope

Songs about one of the most controversial of mankind’s attempt to balance the scales: the death penalty. Studies point to the fact that at least one in 25 people sentenced to the death penalty in the U.S. are innocent and yet the death penalty is legal in 32 states. In China, corporate fraud can be punishable by death…if it were the case here, our government would probably be on the straight and narrow. But I digress. The music this week will explore the long walk to eternity through the eyes of the condemned; the knowledge of the eventuality of the executioner’s song is clarity. And we’ve got country from a whole host of obscure characters, some blues and boogie, along with just a little bit of folk and bluegrass. A hundred years of the hangman’s rope in reflection.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Johnny Cash I Hung My Head American IV: Man Comes Around Amazon
3Gurf Morlix Theyre Hangin Me Tonight The Executioner's Last Songs, Volume 3 Amazon
4Johnny Bond At Dawn I Die The Hangman's Blues: Prison Songs In Country Music (1956-1972) Amazon
5Marty Robbins The Hanging Tree All-Time Greatest Hits Amazon
6Peter, Paul & Mary Hangman See What Tomorrow Brings Amazon
7Marty Stuart Hangman Ghost Train: The Studio B Sessions Amazon
8Ralston Bowles and May Erlewine-Bernard Hangman Dear Jean: Artists Celebrate Jean Ritchie Amazon
9Cowboy Copas Hangman Boogie Hillbilly Boogie Box [Disc 4] Amazon
10The Pine Valley Cosmonauts & Puerto Muerto The Hangman's Song The Executioner's Last Songs, Vol. 1 Amazon
11Al Dean Hangman The Hangman's Blues: Prison Songs In Country Music (1956-1972) Amazon
12Leadbelly Gallows Pole Too Late, Too Late – Vol. 12 – 1917-48 Amazon
13Furry Lewis Judge Harsh Blues Furry Lewis 1927 – 1929 Amazon
14Brownie McGhee Hangman's Blues The Folkways Years (1945-1959) Amazon
15Blind Lemon Jefferson Hangman's Blues Complete Recordings Vol. 3 Amazon
16Blind Lemon Jefferson Electric Chair Blues Images Presents 1920's Blues Classics, Vol. 13 Amazon
17Lonesome Johnny Death Row The Hangman's Blues: Prison Songs In Country Music (1956-1972) Amazon
18Jimmy Minor Death Row The Hangman's Blues: Prison Songs In Country Music (1956-1972) Amazon
19Porter Wagoner (I Heard That) Lonesome Whistle The Hangman's Blues: Prison Songs In Country Music (1956-1972) Amazon
20Dave Alvin Sonora's Death Row West of the West Amazon
21Lee Hazelwood The Girl On Death Row Twisted Tales From The Vinyl Wastelands Volume 2 Amazon
22Johnny Cash The Mercy Seat American III: Solitary Man Amazon
23Bessie Smith Send Me To The Lectric Chair Empress Of The Blues Volume 2: 1926-1933 (CD A, 1926-1928) Amazon
24Booker T. & the MG's Hang 'Em High The Very Best of Booker T. & the MG's Amazon
25Hoyle Miller Twelve Years On Death Row The Hangman's Blues: Prison Songs In Country Music (1956-1972) Amazon
26Steve Earle Walking Down Death Row If I Had A Song: The Songs Of Pete Seeger, Vol. 2 Amazon
27The Blue Sky Boys Story Of The Knoxville Girl Absolutely Bluegrass Amazon
28Bob Dylan Seven Curses The Bootleg Series, Vols. 1-3 : Rare And Unreleased, 1961-1991 [Disc 2] Amazon
29Joan Baez Geordie The First 10 Years Amazon
30The Pine Valley Cosmonauts & Dean Schlabowske Gary Gilmore's Eyes The Executioner's Last Songs, Vol. 1 Amazon