Gallows Pole (also known as Hangman) is a song most famously recorded by Led Zeppelin, but originating in folk music and earlier performed by such folk singers as Leadbelly. In his recording of the song, Leadbelly explains that the lyrics describe the practice of bribing the hangman to escape hanging. Led Zeppelin was a British rock band that became one of the most popular and influential musical ensembles ever. ... Folk music, in the original sense of the term, is music by and of the common people. ... Leadbelly, circa 1942; shown with an accordion, though he typically played guitar Leadbelly (born Huddie William Ledbetter; January 29, 1885 – December 6, 1949) was an American folk musician, notable for his strong, clear voice, for his forceful singing, and for his virtuosity as a twelve string guitar player. ... Bribery is the practice of offering a professional money or other favours in order to circumvent ethics in a variety of professions. ... Suicide by hanging. ...

The Led Zeppelin version has the friends of the condemned visit with nothing to bribe the hangman, followed by the brother of the condemned who brings silver and gold, followed by the sister of the condemned, who offers herself sexually to the hangman. None of these tactics work, as the hangman accepts the bribes, but carries out the execution anyway. This representes a change from the traditional version, which does not resolve the fate of the condemned one way or the other, but merely recites his pleas to friends and family members to bring a little silver or a little gold to buy his freedom.[1]

Another early version of the song occurs as "The Maid Freed From the Gallows". [2] In each lyric, the first person (father, mother, brother) has come not to free the condemned, but to see her hanged, but the second person (lover) has brought the bribe with which to free her.

The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Uriah Heep. Uriah Heep is a fictional character created by Charles Dickens in his novel David Copperfield. ...