Hanging Tree – English Lyrics

• By: L.E.J

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the haunting story of 'The Hanging Tree' through L.E.J.'s powerful cover. This song offers a unique opportunity to explore the nuances of narrative and emotion in lyrics. The repetition and simple, yet profound, vocabulary make it an excellent piece for English language learners to practice comprehension and interpretation, all while being captivated by the beautiful and somber melody.

[English]

Coming to the tree

Are you, are you

Coming to the tree

They strung up a man

They say who murdered three

Strange things did happen here

No stranger would it be

If we met at midnight

In the hanging tree

Are you, are you

Coming to the tree

Where the dead man called out

For his love to flee

Strange things did happen here

No stranger would it be

If we met at midnight

In the hanging tree

...

Are you, are you

Coming to the tree

Where I told you to run

So we'd both be free

Strange things did happen here

No stranger would it be

If we met at midnight

In the hanging tree

Are you, are you

Coming to the tree

Wear a necklace of hope

Side by side with me

Strange things did happen here

No stranger would it be

If we met at midnight

In the hanging tree

Are you, are you

Coming to the tree

Where I told you to run

So we'd both be free

Strange things did happen here

No stranger would it be

If we met at midnight

In the hanging tree

Are you, are you

Coming to the tree

They strung up a man

They say who murdered three

Strange things did happen here

No stranger would it be

If we met at midnight

In the hanging tree

Are you, are you

Coming to the tree

Where the dead man called out

For his love to flee

Strange things did happen here

No stranger would it be

If we met at midnight

In the hanging tree

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
hanging /ˈhæŋɪŋ/ B2	noun - the act of death by suspension in the air
tree /triː/ A1	noun - a woody plant with a trunk and branches
man /mæn/ A1	noun - an adult human male
dead /ded/ A2	adjective - no longer alive
love /lʌv/ A2	noun - a strong feeling of affection verb - to feel affection
flee /fliː/ B2	verb - to run away from danger
stranger /ˈstreɪndʒər/ B2	noun - a person whom one does not know
met /mɛt/ A2	verb - past tense of meet; to encounter someone
midnight /ˈmɪdnaɪt/ B1	noun - the middle of the night
necklace /ˈnɛk.ləs/ B1	noun - a piece of jewelry worn around the neck
hope /hoʊp/ B2	noun - a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen

Key Grammar Structures

• Are you, are you

  ➔ Repetition for emphasis

  ➔ "Are you" is used here repeatedly to emphasize the question or invitation.

• They strung up a man

  ➔ Past simple active voice

  ➔ "Strung up" is the past tense of "to string up," indicating an action completed in the past.

• No stranger would it be

  ➔ Negative modal + inversion (conditional)

  ➔ The phrase implies a condition or assumption that would be unlikely or impossible, using inversion of the auxiliary and the subject.

• Wear a necklace of hope

  ➔ Imperative mood (suggestive command)

  ➔ "Wear" is in the imperative form suggesting a command or strong recommendation.

• So we'd both be free

  ➔ Subjunctive mood / Conditional clause

  ➔ The phrase expresses an unreal or hypothetical situation, using a conditional clause with "would".

• They say who murdered three

  ➔ Reported speech / Indirect speech

  ➔ "They say" introduces reported speech, indicating someone else's words or beliefs.