The Prickly Bush lyrics and chords

The Prickly Bush, also known as The Prickle Holly Bush or The Maid Freed from the Gallows, is an old traditional English ballad that dates back centuries. It's often classified as a "child ballad" (Child Ballad No. 95, collected by Francis James Child) and has been adapted in various folk traditions, including Irish and American folk music.
Meaning and Themes:The song typically tells the story of a condemned person, usually a woman, standing at the gallows awaiting execution. She pleads for various family members to ransom her, but they refuse. Eventually, her true love or someone close comes forward to pay for her release.
Key Themes:

Betrayal and Abandonment: The woman's family members often refuse to help her, showing themes of disloyalty or indifference.
Love and Devotion: The true love’s arrival symbolizes devotion and selfless love, offering hope and salvation at the last moment.
Justice and Mercy: The song explores themes of justice, redemption, and mercy, as the protagonist's life hangs in the balance.
Folk Symbolism: The "prickly bush" or "prickle holly bush" is often seen as a metaphor for hardship and suffering.

The repetition of verses and the haunting nature of the lyrics make this a deeply emotional and memorable folk song. The ballad’s narrative structure, themes of salvation, and portrayal of suffering give it a timeless quality that resonates in various cultural adaptations.

for The Fureys, a traditional song. Also recorded by Bob Dylan, Nick Jones, Judy Collins among others. The is The Fureys version and the guitar chords which were worked out by Marc Fahrbach match what the Fureys play. The prickly bush tin whistle sheet music plus the mandolin tab included.

For Furey’s Version use capo on 1st fret on guitar

Intro: G-G-D7-D7-G-G-D7-D7-G-C-G-G

(D7)Oh the prickly (G)bush
(C)Bears my (D7)heart full of (G)sore
And if (C)ever (D7)I get a(G)way far of that bush
I’ll never get (D7)caught any (G)more.

So (D7)Hangman wont you (G)wait and see.
Wont you (C)rest your (D7)hand for a (G)while
For me (C)thinks I (D7)see my (G)own father
Coming over (D7)yonder (G)stile.

Now (D7)father have you brought me (G)gold
Or (C)silver to (D7)set me (G)free?
Or (C)have you (D7)come just to (G)see me hanging,
Hanging from the (D7)gallows (G)tree?

No, (D7)son I haven’t brought you (G)gold
Or (C)silver to (D7)set you (G)free.
But (C)I must (D7)watch and (G)see as you’re hanging,
Hanging from the (D7)gallows (G)tree.

But it’s (D7)oh the prickly (G)bush
It (C)bears my (D7)heart full of (G)sore
And if (C)ever (D7)I get a(G)way far of that bush
I’ll never get (D7)caught any (G)more.

So (D7)Hangman wont you (G)wait and see.
Wont you (C)rest your (D7)hand for a (G)while
For me (C)thinks I (D7)see my (G)own mother
Coming over (D7)yonder (G)stile.

Oh, (D7)mother have you brought me (G)gold
Or (C)silver to (D7)set me (G)free?
Or (C)have you (D7)come just to (G)see me hanging,
Hanging from the (D7)gallows (G)tree?

No, (D7)son I haven’t brought you (G)gold
Or (C)silver to (D7)set you (G)free.
But (C)I must (D7)watch and (G)see as you’re hanging,
Hanging from the (D7)gallows (G)tree.

Some versions add corresponding verses with the condemned’s brother, sister, etc.
Repeat Intro

But it’s (D7)oh the prickly (G)bush
It (C)bears my (D7)heart full of (G)sore
And if (C)ever (D7)I get a(G)way far of that bush
I’ll never get (D7)caught any (G)more.

So (D7)Hangman wont you (G)wait and see.
Wont you (C)rest your (D7)hand for a (G)while
For me (C)thinks I (D7)see my (G)own true love
Coming over (D7)yonder (G)stile.

My (D7)love have you brought me (G)gold
Or (C)silver to (D7)set me (G)free?
Or (C)have you (D7)come just to (G)see me hanging,
Hanging from the (D7)gallows (G)tree?

Yes (D7)love I brought you (G)gold
And (C)silver to (D7)set you (G)free.
But (C)I’ll that (D7)watch and (G)see as you’re hanging,
Hanging from the (D7)gallows (G)tree.

Happy-end-alternative as prefered in most other versions:
...For (C)I won’t (D7)watch and (G)see as you’re hanging,
Hanging from the (D7)gallows (G)tree.

But it’s (D7)oh the prickly (G)bush
It (C)bears my (D7)heart full of (G)sore
And if (C)ever (D7)I get a(G)way far of that bush
I’ll never get (D7)caught any (G)more.

The prickly bush tin whistle sheet music