The Golden Ball

Slack up the rope, slack up the rope,
And wait a little while.
I think I see my father a-coming,
Out on that roving wild.
Father, have you found my golden ball,
And have you come to set me free?
Or have you come to see me hung,
All on this linden tree?
I've not found your golden ball,
And I've not come to set you free.
But I have come to see you hung,
Out on this linden tree.

Slack up the rope, slack up the rope,
And wait a little while.
I think I see my mother a-coming,
Out on this roving wild.
Mother, have you found my golden ball,
And have you come to set me free?
Or have you come to see me hung,
All on this linden tree.
I've not found your golden ball,
And I've not come to set you free.
But I have come to see you hung,
Out on this linden tree.

etc. for brother, sister

Slack up the rope, slack up the rope,
And wait a little while.
I think I see my true love coming,
Out on this roving wild.
True love, have you found my golden ball,
And have you come to set me free?
Or have you come to see me hung,
Out on this linden tree?
I have found your golden ball,
And I have come to set you free.
But I've not come to see you hung,
Out on this linden tree.

Child #95
From Folk Songs and Singing Games of the Illinois Ozarks, McIntosh
Collected from Mrs Lessie Parrish, Carbondale IL 1937
RG