Sam Hall

from Spot the Difference by Paul Gill & Sam Belcher

	/

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about

This was originally a music hall number back in the 18th century. Somehow it has endured, but most popular versions are pretty tame for a defiant gallows address. Sam Hall was a burglar who posed as a chimney sweep and made three visits to the hangman ( the last of which was terminal). Johnny Cash's version had him as wild west gunslinger, but restored to him some his old disdain. I took several versions, added some lines of my own, and this is the result.

lyrics

My name it is Sam Hall
Burglar, creep and chimney sweep
My name it is Sam Hall, it is Sam Hall
My name it is Sam Hall
And I hate you one and all
Now my neck must feel the pull
So damn your eyes

I've robbed both rich and poor
Yes that's true, maybe I've robbed you
I've robbed both rich and poor, rich and poor
I've robbed both rich and poor
Of cash of candlesticks and more
Even meat from out your store
So damn your eyes

I see my Molly in the crowd
I robbed to please and bring her ease
I see my Molly in the crowd, she's in the crowd
I see Molly in the crowd
Well hey there Molly aren't you proud
Now that I've found fame, and how?
Well damn your eyes

Now a- swinging I must go
For my sins my wicked sins
Now a- swinging I must go, I must go
Now a- swinging I must go
While you bastards down below
Yell and spit and jeer and crow
Well damn your eyes

credits

from Spot the Difference, released April 18, 2008
Music & lyrics- Trad/ P.Gill
Arranged- P. Gill & S. Belcher

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Paul Gill England, UK

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