Baring-Gould. The Golden Ball

From A Book of Nursery Songs and Rhymes by Sabine Baring-Gould.

This is Roud 144.

THE GOLDEN BALL

'Stop, stop, I think I see my mother coming!

O mother, hast thou brought my golden ball,

And come to set me free?'

'I've never brought thy golden ball,

Nor come to set thee free.

But I have come to see thee hung

Upon this gallows tree.'

'Stop, stop, I think I see my father coming!

O father, hast thou brought my golden ball,

And come to set me free?'

'I've neither brought thy golden ball,

Nor come to set thee free.

But I have come to see thee hung

Upon this gallows tree.'

'Stop, stop, I think I see my brother coming!

O brother, hast thou brought my golden ball,

And come to set me free?'

'I've neither brought thy golden ball,

Nor come to set thee free.

But I have come to see thee hung

Upon this gallows tree.'

'Stop, stop, I think I see my sister coming!

O sister, hast thou brought my golden ball,

And come to set me free?'

'I've neither brought thy golden ball,

Nor come to set thee free.

But I have come to see thee hung

Upon this gallows tree.'

'Stop, stop, I think I see my uncle coming!

O uncle, hast thou brought my golden ball,

And come to set me free?'

'I've neither brought thy golden ball,

Nor come to set thee free.

But I have come to see thee hung

Upon this gallows tree.'

'Stop, stop, I think I see my aunt coming!

O aunt, hast thou brought my golden ball,

And come to set me free?'

'I've neither brought thy golden ball,

Nor come to set thee free.

But I have come to see thee hung

Upon this gallows tree.'

'Stop, stop, I think I see my cousin coming!

O cousin, hast thou brought my golden ball,

And come to set me free?'

'I've neither brought thy golden ball,

Nor come to set thee free.

But I have come to see thee hung

Upon this gallows tree.'

'Stop, stop! I see my sweetheart coming!

Sweetheart, hast thou brought my golden ball,

And come to set me free?'

'Ay, I have brought thy golden ball,

And come to set thee free.

I am not come to see thee hung

Upon this gallows tree.'

(Gallows at Caxton Gibbet)