Based on the folk song "The Maid Freed from the Gallows", this is one of a number of versions to have been recorded by notable modern artistes, recounting the tale of a condemned maiden pleading for someone to buy her freedom from the executioner. Although it exists in many forms, all versions recount a similar story. A maiden (a young unmarried woman), about to be hanged (for unknown reasons), pleads with the hangman, or judge, to wait for the arrival of someone who may bribe him.
The first person (or people) to arrive, who may include the father, mother, brother, and sister, have brought nothing, and often have just come to see her hanged. The last person to arrive, often her true love, traditionally brings the gold to save her. Although the traditional versions do not resolve the fate of the condemned one way or the other, it may be presumed that the bribe would succeed. Depending on the version, she may also curse all those who failed her.
English band 'Led Zeppelin' recorded the song for their album "Led Zeppelin III" in 1970. The album was a shift in style for the band towards more acoustic material, influenced by a holiday Jimmy Page and Robert Plant took to the Bron-Y-Aur cottage in the Welsh countryside. Page adapted the song from a version by Fred Gerlach. On the album the track was credited "Traditional: Arranged by Page and Plant".
"Gallows Pole" begins as a simple acoustic guitar rhythm; mandolin is added in, then electric bass guitar shortly afterwards, and then banjo and drums simultaneously join in. The instrumentation builds up to a crescendo, increasing in tempo as the song progresses. Page played banjo, six and 12 string acoustic guitar and electric guitar (a Gibson Les Paul), while John Paul Jones played mandolin and bass.
Page has stated that, similar to the song "Battle of Evermore", which was included on their fourth album, the song emerged spontaneously when he started experimenting with Jones' mandolin, an instrument he had never before played. "I just picked it up and started moving my fingers around until the chords sounded right, which is the same way I work on compositions when the guitar's in different tunings."
It is also one of Page's favourite songs on "Led Zeppelin III", which made No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 album chart, and also achieved a No. 1 placing, for 4 weeks, in the UK listings of 1970. Here are the lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/ledzeppelin/gallowspole.html
"I just picked it up and started moving my fingers around until the chords sounded right". Genius right there. Most people take about fifteen years to tune a mandolin.
Only recently has this started I reckon, and for sad and obvious reasons. It was always called Britpop or The British Invasion, The Brits are coming etc. First time I have heard of a band being described as English!
20 Comments (since 13 Aug 2014)
leejohnson
Based on the folk song "The Maid Freed from the Gallows", this is one of a number of versions to have been recorded by notable modern artistes, recounting the tale of a condemned maiden pleading for someone to buy her freedom from the executioner. Although it exists in many forms, all versions recount a similar story. A maiden (a young unmarried woman), about to be hanged (for unknown reasons), pleads with the hangman, or judge, to wait for the arrival of someone who may bribe him.
leejohnson
The first person (or people) to arrive, who may include the father, mother, brother, and sister, have brought nothing, and often have just come to see her hanged. The last person to arrive, often her true love, traditionally brings the gold to save her. Although the traditional versions do not resolve the fate of the condemned one way or the other, it may be presumed that the bribe would succeed. Depending on the version, she may also curse all those who failed her.
leejohnson
English band 'Led Zeppelin' recorded the song for their album "Led Zeppelin III" in 1970. The album was a shift in style for the band towards more acoustic material, influenced by a holiday Jimmy Page and Robert Plant took to the Bron-Y-Aur cottage in the Welsh countryside. Page adapted the song from a version by Fred Gerlach. On the album the track was credited "Traditional: Arranged by Page and Plant".
leejohnson
"Gallows Pole" begins as a simple acoustic guitar rhythm; mandolin is added in, then electric bass guitar shortly afterwards, and then banjo and drums simultaneously join in. The instrumentation builds up to a crescendo, increasing in tempo as the song progresses. Page played banjo, six and 12 string acoustic guitar and electric guitar (a Gibson Les Paul), while John Paul Jones played mandolin and bass.
leejohnson
Page has stated that, similar to the song "Battle of Evermore", which was included on their fourth album, the song emerged spontaneously when he started experimenting with Jones' mandolin, an instrument he had never before played. "I just picked it up and started moving my fingers around until the chords sounded right, which is the same way I work on compositions when the guitar's in different tunings."
leejohnson
It is also one of Page's favourite songs on "Led Zeppelin III", which made No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 album chart, and also achieved a No. 1 placing, for 4 weeks, in the UK listings of 1970. Here are the lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/ledzeppelin/gallowspole.html
21schizoid
Belter, Lee... :-D
kemiladashdot
thank you Lee
totty01843
yep............
BertrandRustles
As I said when I Jammed it, one of my favourite Zep tracks. Bonzo's drumming is just magnificent on this. Top Jam.
cbinseoul
Great Jam!
festigram
nice way to start a day. Thx
paulgdaly
"I just picked it up and started moving my fingers around until the chords sounded right". Genius right there. Most people take about fifteen years to tune a mandolin.
Axol
@paulgdaly :-)
daved
Bob Plant has gone more that folky country way in recent times
daved
*British Band, Led Zep...
leejohnson
@daved If you like, but all four members were born in England.
daved
Only recently has this started I reckon, and for sad and obvious reasons. It was always called Britpop or The British Invasion, The Brits are coming etc. First time I have heard of a band being described as English!
leejohnson
Well, no, not really. It's just a factual and geographical description of which country they come from! Nothing sinister there.
lynn200
wow! scary in-box. justly earnt.....superb track.thx