[Intro – sparse acoustic guitar picking, distant wind howl]
(Instrumental Solo)
[Verse 1 – dry vocals, minimal percussion, dusty atmosphere]
Dust settles on the cracked earth floor
Shadows stretch beneath the door
No mercy here for the wicked soul
Digging deep to fill the hole
[Verse 2 – heavy stomp beat enters, low rumble]
Rope is rough against the skin
Let the judgment now begin
Sun beats down like hammer strikes
Waiting for what comes next tonight
[Pre-Chorus – rising tension, swelling strings]
Look up high and see them sway
Night will come to take them away
Silence screams in empty air
Nobody left to say a prayer
[Chorus – powerful gritty vocals, full band kick-in]
Hang them high in the burning sun
Bury them low when the day is done
Slum dogs bark at the gallows tree
Justice blind for all to see
Hang them high and bury them low
Let the cold wind blow
[Interlude – mournful harmonica solo, slow tempo]
(Instrumental Solo)
[Verse 3 – bass heavy, ominous tone]
Feet don't touch the ground below
Secrets that they used to know
Rotting wood and rusted chain
Washing off the blood and stain
[Pre-Chorus – building intensity, drum roll]
Look up high and see them sway
Night will come to take them away
Silence screams in empty air
Nobody left to say a prayer
[Chorus – maximum volume, raw emotion]
Hang them high in the burning sun
Bury them low when the day is done
Slum dogs bark at the gallows tree
Justice blind for all to see
Hang them high and bury them low
Let the cold wind blow
[Bridge – stripped back, whispering vocals, eerie pause]
Six feet under where the roots grow deep
Promises the dead cannot keep
Darkness falls on the sinner's head
Sleeping with the restless dead
[Guitar Solo – distorted slide guitar, wailing notes]
(Instrumental Solo)
[Chorus – final explosive delivery, crashing cymbals]
Hang them high in the burning sun
Bury them low when the day is done
Slum dogs bark at the gallows tree
Justice blind for all to see
Hang them high and bury them low
Let the cold wind blow
[Outro – fading guitar strum, single foot stomp]
Bury them low
Let them go