Led Zeppelin » Tracks » Gallows Pole

Led Zeppelin – Gallows Pole (4:56)

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About This Track

This is based on an old Blues song called “Gallis Pole,” which was popularized by Leadbelly. The song is considered “Traditional,” meaning the author is unknown. Jimmy Page got the idea for this after hearing the version by California folk singer Fred Gerlach.

The lyrics are about a man trying to delay his hanging until his friends and family can rescue him. Although there are many versions of this song, Led Zeppelin’s is unusual in that it ends with the hangman hanging the protagonist despite all of his bribes. Most other versions end with the hangman setting the protagonist free.

A similar folk song called “Slack Your Rope” was sung by an Arkansan named Jimmie Driftwood. He adapted the words from a fifteenth century British Ballad when any crime could be paid off with money right up to the last step of the gallows. In his version, the criminal is definitely a woman and her lover rides up and pays her fee.

This is the only Led Zeppelin song that features a banjo. Jimmy Page wrote it on a banjo he borrowed from John Paul Jones. He had never played the banjo before.

Page played the 6 and 12-string guitars as well as the banjo on this. Jones played mandolin and bass.

This is Page’s favorite song on Led Zeppelin III.

The band used some lines from this on their 1975 song “Trampled Underfoot.”

This is a rare Led Zeppelin song that speeds up as it goes along, a technique Jimmy Page also used on “Stairway To Heaven.”
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Albums featuring this track

  • Led Zeppelin III
    Led Zeppelin Play
    Buy
  • III
    Led Zeppelin Play
    Buy
  • Box Set (disc 2)
    Led Zeppelin Play
    Buy
  • The Complete Led Zeppelin
    Led Zeppelin Play
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See all 6 albums

Shouts

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  • mikesimpson

    Sister I implore you :)))))

    10 days ago

  • Justgotmyperiod

    Wow

    19 days ago

  • PattySauce

    full of beauty!!

    22 days ago

  • Cielofunk

    This is too good

    22 days ago

  • mattrockrob

    bass line and solo s2

    last month

  • hertragicending

    love this fucking band.

    March 2012

  • Robert161989

    total freaking out when the beat comes in

    January 2012

  • oldiesfanjohn

    love how hectic it gets,then JB`s drumming!

    December 2011

  • theSinTwin

    oh yeah !!

    December 2011

  • gdcman

    Couldn't get no gold.......

    December 2011

  • yearssomuch

    folk Zep is the best Zep [4] is absolutely right. This is by far one of my top favorites of Led Zeppelin.. just too good.

    December 2011

  • me_araujo

    led zeppelin folks

    November 2011

  • PizzaBhoy

    bass line <3

    November 2011

  • Yhavimoth

    Oh when those drums come in......

    October 2011

  • pteronophobic

    I love the arrangement of this version, how the tension gradually builds througout the song. It is also notable for being Zep's only song with banjo.

    August 2011

  • Thrashaholico

    folk Zep is the best Zep [3]

    July 2011

  • Lilloneto

    folk Zep is the best Zep [2]

    May 2011

  • grantmarteeth

    folk Zep is the best Zep

    April 2011

  • theprogdoctor

    Zep at their finest.

    April 2011

  • nicolasbj

    ♥ ♥

    March 2011
See all 106 shouts

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