Gallows Pole is based on a century's old folk song about a maiden begging for someone to buy her freedom from execution and has been covered several times before Zep got to it. This is Jimmy's first and only Zep song where he plays banjo. He borrowed it from John Paul Jones, and even though he'd never played one before, noodled about with it and got this song. In addition to banjo, he plays 12-string and electric guitar while Jones plays bass as well as mandolin. To my ear, it sounds a bit folk/country but specifically more of a Bluegrass sound, which makes sense because Bluegrass music came from the Irish, Scots, and UK people who settled into the American south. In this song, some guy is hoping his friends/family can bribe the executioner to let him go. His friends are too poor, his brother brings silver and gold, and his sister has sex with the executioner only for him to kill the guy anyway and tells them "Now I laugh, and pull so hard, to see you swinging from the gallows pole." After you know the story, it's a bit of a macabre song as it starts slow then speeds up, sounding jaunty and jolly, before almost moving to a manic speed. The other three bandmembers harmonize on the "ah ha ha has" as the hangman laughs at the condemned man's friends/family and Robert sings "keep-a swinging" and "see-saw, Margery Daw, gonna swing." It's a sly bit of strangeness dressed up as a happy folk song and I love it.
Sister is swinging from the Gallows pole. Sister want my silver sister want my gold sister want my soul to boil in hell now she is swinging. Bad sister
Actually it sounds nothing like anything USoNAan, it sounds very Celtic, which is the basis for all blues, even to a point jazz, definitely rock. So USoNAans stole it from the Celts.
Welcome back and we are happy you are safe. May God bless you and continue to watch over you and your fellow citizens. Elie....you are a very lucky man. With all the respect in the world, Carol is such a good person and one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. Keep on rockin'!
I love this song! I hear them galloping. Riding to save him. Saw them in 1970 and Robert Plant last summer. I'm so angry about what is happening to you. Please stay safe. Keep rockin with LZ❣️🙏🙏🙏
So happy to see you both and hope you and your families remain safe. And welcome back to LZ III. Still my favorite album of theirs after all these years.
Hello Elie and Carol. It's so great to see you back, and to know that you are both safe and well! The world is getting crazier by the day. At least we can all still enjoy some great music, and remember what is best about being human, to have love in our hearts. Stay safe. 💙💚🧡❤🧡💚💙
Great to see you again you have been SO missed! Hope you are doing OK, and that the music helps lift your spirits ❤… this is off their third album which has a good amount of acoustic music on it. It didn’t do as well as their first two albums and didn’t always get the greatest reviews but through time many feel in some ways that it’s their most brilliant album! And I love Roberts voice in 1970!
Glad you're both okay, and I hope things get better. Led Zeppelin have created several masterpieces out of old folk, gospel, and blues songs. Gallows Pole was first recorded in 1939, but it's origins go further back. Other great Led Zeppelin songs written by other musicians are Babe I'm Gonna Leave You and You Shook me. Both have amazing vocals, guitar riffs and instrumentation.
I was watching a late night movie some years ago...think it was Hunchback of Notre Dame...female street musician was singing this song...recognizable... a movie made in the forties about the 1400.s.. cool
Glad you are back TH-cam hasn't been the same hope you and yours are safe and wishing your country a shift and speedy recovery from what you have had to endure
You two are probably beginning to imagine what it was like to get "that new Zeppelin album" by now. Every song on their albums was a treat...not just filler in support of the one or two hits on the album.
In the MTV Unplugged version of "Nobody's Fault But Mine", a banjo and something called a hurdy gurdy is used. It also has a cool version of "Gallows Pole".
I love your reactions guys! You are charming people. Your best reaction was on Telegraph Road on my point of view but all your Led Zeppelin reactions are also very cool!
A centuries old tune that Zeppelin brings into modernity. This song’s tempo speeds up slowly like another song on their next album, Stairway to Heaven. Even the drums come it later in both. One of my favorites off the album. Check out another gem by them Bron Yaur Somp. The live version from Earl’s Court 1975 is great too.
Welcome back you two... hope you are safe. Great reaction and nice touch of remembering who you started it off with. Now, one song you have yet to hear from them... and which has a very different rhythm from them is "Fool In The Rain" it has a Samba rhythm in 2nd half of song. I know you will both love it! Enjoy!
Welcom back! Great song to start with. This track, along with "Travelling Riverside Blues" (which features tons of awesome guitar!), are my favorite Zep covers. This song was based an ancient traditional folk song "The Maid Freed From The Gallows", and the original author's identity has been lost to the ages. Please: "Ramble On" or "Over The Hills And Far Away" next!
Welcome back Elie and Carol! Such a very cool song. Great reaction. Lots of instruments in there. Pretty sure John Paul Jones is playing Mandolin. It does sound very old and ancient. Great choice. So happy you are safe and well CC!
It's so nice to see you guys are alright. Hope you're hanging in there and staying safe. Inshallah. ❤ (The live version of Page and Plant is well worth a watch - the late great Michael Lee on drums is awesome)
Oh man i am glad to see you two on here again! So worried that maybe you wouldn’t come back with all that’s going on in Lebanon! God bless and nice to see you!
Thank you for the lovely reaction to this great song. There is a video of Plant and Page doing this live in the 1990s for MTV unplugged. Worth checking out! I'm glad you are back and finding some happiness from this music at such a difficult time for you and your country.
Wonderful to see ya'll are back!! As always, great reaction and looking forward to more ... I hope ya'll will consider reacting to "Trampled Under Foot"; both the studio version (Physical Graffiti) and the live version from the '75 Earls Court show...in the live version, they incorporate this song (briefly) - amazing live performance as usual...thanks so much and stay safe!
Great to see you both again. In bad times and in good times, great music makes everything a little better. 2 songs to pick from (both off debut album), 1/ "Babe, I'm gonna leave you" (acoustic, like Gallows) or 2/ "You Shook Me" (old school blues). You'd enjoy either or both.
hey guys glad your back but you ave to check this song gallows pole from 1994 jools holland show were they played this live brilliant version you will enjoy this version
As like others glad to see you Ledheads back & safe. Yes a great old folk song, & of course Led Zeppelin make it their own, the magic of their brilliance. Unfortunately the condemned man’s friends didn’t have any gold or silver, his brother only a little. His sister brought some, & also gave the hangman sex, & he hung her too & laughed about it. I believe I heard this song is several hundred years old. As always thank you for your reaction, you beautiful couple, stay safe.
I love to see your reactions. As a person who grew up with this music it delights me to see people discovering the sounds of a wonderfully versatile band. I would like to suggest that you listen to In your eyes from the secret world concert by Peter Gabriel. It is a truly remarkable piece of world music
Absolutely. The only time they ever repeated themselves was with Tea For One, which seems like an attempt to try and recreate the vibe of Since I've Been Loving You. That's the only example I can think of.
Welcome back,nice to see you both again.
I just love watching the two of you kids rock together to Zeppelin! It’s refreshing to know that young people can appreciate good music ❤
I am so glad you're back and safe. I really enjoy your reactions. Keep the faith.
Welcome back and stay safe
Gallows Pole is based on a century's old folk song about a maiden begging for someone to buy her freedom from execution and has been covered several times before Zep got to it. This is Jimmy's first and only Zep song where he plays banjo. He borrowed it from John Paul Jones, and even though he'd never played one before, noodled about with it and got this song. In addition to banjo, he plays 12-string and electric guitar while Jones plays bass as well as mandolin. To my ear, it sounds a bit folk/country but specifically more of a Bluegrass sound, which makes sense because Bluegrass music came from the Irish, Scots, and UK people who settled into the American south. In this song, some guy is hoping his friends/family can bribe the executioner to let him go. His friends are too poor, his brother brings silver and gold, and his sister has sex with the executioner only for him to kill the guy anyway and tells them "Now I laugh, and pull so hard, to see you swinging from the gallows pole." After you know the story, it's a bit of a macabre song as it starts slow then speeds up, sounding jaunty and jolly, before almost moving to a manic speed. The other three bandmembers harmonize on the "ah ha ha has" as the hangman laughs at the condemned man's friends/family and Robert sings "keep-a swinging" and "see-saw, Margery Daw, gonna swing." It's a sly bit of strangeness dressed up as a happy folk song and I love it.
Sister is swinging from the
Gallows pole. Sister want my silver sister want my gold sister want my soul to boil in hell now she is swinging. Bad sister
I thought that her swinging in the gallow pole was a reference to her having sex with the executioner. As in his gallows pole.
Actually it sounds nothing like anything USoNAan, it sounds very Celtic, which is the basis for all blues, even to a point jazz, definitely rock. So USoNAans stole it from the Celts.
So happy to see the two of you safe!!!! Welcome back!!!
What a special treat to see you today. Welcome back 😊
Great to see you guys safe. Keep smiling and listen to lots of Zeppelin!
THE GREATEST BAND EVER HANDS DOWN !!!❤😊
Great to see you guys and thanks again for all the Led Zeppelin ❤
Welcome back to the both of you, glad to see you're staying safe and continuing your journey through the magic of Zeppelin! :)
Welcome back and we are happy you are safe. May God bless you and continue to watch over you and your fellow citizens. Elie....you are a very lucky man. With all the respect in the world, Carol is such a good person and one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. Keep on rockin'!
❤❤ So happy that the two of you are back! Stay safe and we all love you both!
I love this song! I hear them galloping. Riding to save him. Saw them in 1970 and Robert Plant last summer. I'm so angry about what is happening to you. Please stay safe. Keep rockin with LZ❣️🙏🙏🙏
So happy to see you both and hope you and your families remain safe. And welcome back to LZ III. Still my favorite album of theirs after all these years.
So glad to see you two again. I hope you are safe and well.
Missed you guys…glad to see you safe, and sound! The GOATS🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Hello Elie and Carol. It's so great to see you back, and to know that you are both safe and well! The world is getting crazier by the day. At least we can all still enjoy some great music, and remember what is best about being human, to have love in our hearts. Stay safe.
💙💚🧡❤🧡💚💙
I've really missed both the you. Glad you're back home safe again
I’m so happy to see you back thank you. Stay safe sending prayers and love.
glad to see my favorite Led Zeppelin reactors safe and sound.
This is an old folk song from the 18th century Yorkshire England
🎶🎶💎🎶🎶 .. there are so many to choose from, but , honestly ,... This is my favorite Led Zeppelin song. Thank you. Bless you both 💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫
Great to see you again you have been SO missed! Hope you are doing OK, and that the music helps lift your spirits ❤… this is off their third album which has a good amount of acoustic music on it. It didn’t do as well as their first two albums and didn’t always get the greatest reviews but through time many feel in some ways that it’s their most brilliant album! And I love Roberts voice in 1970!
Good to see you both back and safe... and rocking on!
It is a great joy to see you again, thank God you are back.
Glad you're both okay, and I hope things get better. Led Zeppelin have created several masterpieces out of old folk, gospel, and blues songs. Gallows Pole was first recorded in 1939, but it's origins go further back. Other great Led Zeppelin songs written by other musicians are Babe I'm Gonna Leave You and You Shook me. Both have amazing vocals, guitar riffs and instrumentation.
I was watching a late night movie some years ago...think it was Hunchback of Notre Dame...female street musician was singing this song...recognizable... a movie made in the forties about the 1400.s.. cool
Glad you are back TH-cam hasn't been the same hope you and yours are safe and wishing your country a shift and speedy recovery from what you have had to endure
It's good to see you again (especially, seeing you both, smiling and enjoying good music) ! I was so worried !
You two are probably beginning to imagine what it was like to get "that new Zeppelin album" by now. Every song on their albums was a treat...not just filler in support of the one or two hits on the album.
In the MTV Unplugged version of "Nobody's Fault But Mine", a banjo and something called a hurdy gurdy is used. It also has a cool version of "Gallows Pole".
Good to see and hear from you again. This is a great story telling song!
Great to see you guys back and looking gorgeous and well, we've missed you!!..
X
Welcome back Guys! Hope you are staying safe. I see the news and I think of you guys often. Rock on!
I love your reactions guys! You are charming people. Your best reaction was on Telegraph Road on my point of view but all your Led Zeppelin reactions are also very cool!
A centuries old tune that Zeppelin brings into modernity. This song’s tempo speeds up slowly like another song on their next album, Stairway to Heaven. Even the drums come it later in both. One of my favorites off the album. Check out another gem by them Bron Yaur Somp. The live version from Earl’s Court 1975 is great too.
Glad to see and hear you guys again!
Welcome back you two... hope you are safe. Great reaction and nice touch of remembering who you started it off with. Now, one song you have yet to hear from them... and which has a very different rhythm from them is "Fool In The Rain" it has a Samba rhythm in 2nd half of song. I know you will both love it! Enjoy!
So happy to see you both back. Glad you are both safe and well. Peace upon you
Great song, one of my favourite led zeppelin songs . Quality 👍
what a great song to come back with!
Glad to see you both safe. ❤️
Great to see you both again. Stay safe, stay happy, stay you.
Happy to see you both! Praying for your safety!
SO happy to see your beautiful smiles and are safe. Great reaction!
So good to see you back doing reactions and sharing with all of us.
Welcome back guys. Some people say his best vocal performance is on Traveling Riverside Blues which you gotta hear.
So glad you guys are safe. Please take care.x
Welcom back! Great song to start with. This track, along with "Travelling Riverside Blues" (which features tons of awesome guitar!), are my favorite Zep covers. This song was based an ancient traditional folk song "The Maid Freed From The Gallows", and the original author's identity has been lost to the ages. Please: "Ramble On" or "Over The Hills And Far Away" next!
Glad to see y'all back. Wishing you well!
My favourite Led Zeppelin song, brilliant.
I love this whole album. This was my introduction to the band. Great tune.
Praying for you. Good to see you again. May God bless you.
I'm glad you're BOTH OK 😢 Love YOU 💕
Thank God you two are ok!
This is a cover of a very old folk song. They did an amazing version.
❤Enjoy your reactions.
Welcome back Elie and Carol! Such a very cool song. Great reaction. Lots of instruments in there. Pretty sure John Paul Jones is playing Mandolin. It does sound very old and ancient. Great choice. So happy you are safe and well CC!
I am so chuffed you both are safe n sound - much love - More Pink Floyd please 🦄🦄🦄🦄
Good to see you again …I pray all is well 🙏❤
Your back! 😀hope you are safe and well.
Love this girl!
I met you with the songs of my favorite band, the Dire Straits, I find you again with this wonderful band, I'm happy to follow you again 🌺
Omg i love This song
Perfect choice
Welcome back ❤❤
So lovely to share this with you both today. Welcome back, stay safe.
Love the fiddle and banjo in the back round.
Beautiful dance groove, ponding out the rhythm in the dirt beside the fire folk style ✨️🎶✨️
It's so nice to see you guys are alright. Hope you're hanging in there and staying safe. Inshallah. ❤ (The live version of Page and Plant is well worth a watch - the late great Michael Lee on drums is awesome)
Awww YAY i & **Luv** that so MUCH "I am Alive again cuz of Led Zeppelin** SO **Beautiful** i feel the same way EVERYtime i listen to them!!!
Oh man i am glad to see you two on here again! So worried that maybe you wouldn’t come back with all that’s going on in Lebanon! God bless and nice to see you!
Waiting the Zeppelin on the Crib. Nice to see both of you again. Made my day.
About Time 🎉
Thank you for the lovely reaction to this great song. There is a video of Plant and Page doing this live in the 1990s for MTV unplugged. Worth checking out! I'm glad you are back and finding some happiness from this music at such a difficult time for you and your country.
Welcome back
good to have you back!
Welcome Back, Thank Funk You're Safe. Are Your Parents And Cats OK ? Quality Tune. Quality Reaction. 🙂
Great to see you guys!
Wonderful to see ya'll are back!! As always, great reaction and looking forward to more ... I hope ya'll will consider reacting to "Trampled Under Foot"; both the studio version (Physical Graffiti) and the live version from the '75 Earls Court show...in the live version, they incorporate this song (briefly) - amazing live performance as usual...thanks so much and stay safe!
Great to see you both again. In bad times and in good times, great music makes everything a little better. 2 songs to pick from (both off debut album), 1/ "Babe, I'm gonna leave you" (acoustic, like Gallows) or 2/ "You Shook Me" (old school blues). You'd enjoy either or both.
For whatever it's worth (and I know it's not much), I am an American Jew who is very happy that you are both of you are healthy and secure.
Carol you have a very good ear, and I just love your facial expressions ❤❤
hey guys glad your back but you ave to check this song gallows pole from 1994 jools holland show were they played this live brilliant version you will enjoy this version
“ The Lemon Song”!! Oh yesss.
Welcome home ❤
It's an old blues song standard. Covered by American blues and folk musicians alike
God Bless you , and your family
Another amazing song!! Love JPJ on the banjo!
Are we hearing Bonhams kick drum going bananas????
As like others glad to see you Ledheads back & safe. Yes a great old folk song, & of course Led Zeppelin make it their own, the magic of their brilliance. Unfortunately the condemned man’s friends didn’t have any gold or silver, his brother only a little. His sister brought some, & also gave the hangman sex, & he hung her too & laughed about it. I believe I heard this song is several hundred years old. As always thank you for your reaction, you beautiful couple, stay safe.
It's a bit crazy, but though we've never met, I have been worried about you two. I'm glad to see smiles.
I love to see your reactions. As a person who grew up with this music it delights me to see people discovering the sounds of a wonderfully versatile band. I would like to suggest that you listen to In your eyes from the secret world concert by Peter Gabriel. It is a truly remarkable piece of world music
Our prayers to you and your family.
I think they (Jimmy and John Paul) were playing banjo, guitar, mandolin and bass layered together.
Yes,there was banjo in this. Jimmy page had never played one. borrowed john paul Jones banjo and laid this down. incredible!
Everything of Zeppelin is different
Absolutely. The only time they ever repeated themselves was with Tea For One, which seems like an attempt to try and recreate the vibe of Since I've Been Loving You. That's the only example I can think of.
Good to see you again. Hopefully this madness stops quickly.
Your supporter..much respect and success
Please react to "what is and what should never be" and all will be happy!! You are both great!
Yep
welcome back! for a live version try robert plant and jimmy page Gallows Pole - jooles holland show 1994 BBC cheers!