Folks were hung where I come from
When they'd start stealin' cattle
They'd wind up dead as could be
Swingin' from a hangin' tree
(Swingin' from a hangin' tree)

Noosed 'em high upon a horse,
Then made that horse skee-daddle
Not a pretty sight to see
Swingin' from a hangin' tree
(Swingin' from a hangin' tree)

The unwritten law in the olden days
Was to teach all bad people, better mend their ways
When they'd see outlaws hang, it was plain as hell..
Just an old western way, of early "Show and Tell"
Swing-in' from a tree (from a hangin' tree)

From Californ- to Texas..grew neck-tie party fame
They'd mark their graves with x-es,
On a Boothill sodded claim..

Judge Roy Beam, he ruled, supreme
Stood for no fiddle-faddle..
When he found a man guilt-ee
Swung him from a hangin' tree (swung him from a hangin' tree)

Before the trial, the jury'd file
Into the bar for drinkin'
Held court when they got tip-see
(Then) hung 'em from a hangin' tree (hung em'
from a hangin' tree)
When each booze cup was emptied up,
They'd reach a verdict clinkin'
Unanimous, they'd vote gult-ee
Take him out to the hangin' spree. (hang him
From a hangin' tree)
Today, folks might call that mean and cruel
But in those early times, a real good justice tool
Although, some would still be committin' crimes
Old Judge Beam made a big dent in their life and times
With his hangin' tree, (Good old hangin' tree)
His court was like no other,
Had bottles in his book
Decisions were no bother,
Everybody was a crook..
If defendants made raves and rants,
They, forcibly, were carried
Briefly'd swear, then dangle there
Finished on a hangin' tree (diminished on a hangin' tree)