Albert Pierrepoint - Original Song by RHopen

I wrote this song after reading a book bout Albert Pierrepoint.

Albert Pierrepoint was an official hangman for the British government from the early 1930s to the mid 1950s. It is believed he hung over 600 convicted felons (including many Nazi war criminals after WWII) during this time.

Pierrepoint was said to have been compassionate towards his "victims", and carefully followed British standard practices for executions. This included carefully calculating the victims height, weight, and physical condition before each hanging. This was done to make sure they fell the proper distance so that they would die quickly without suffering. He also prided himself on how quickly he carried out executions.

Pierrepoint later became an advocate against the death penalty and stated "in all that I did, I don't think I prevented a single murder".
-Ron

More of my original songs can be found in this playlist: http://www.youtube.com/user/rhopen#grid/user/5FAFE92B39620456

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• Original Song by RHopen
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[CurtisMateer]

Listened a few times tonight for some reason...Those Nazi war criminals deserved the penalty they paid for their crimes in my opinion. It might have prevented some more deaths and served as a deterrent to some. Who can tell? But if a man pays for his crime in this world then he won't have to pay for it a second time in the next...so the line about freedom seems correct...still, it's sung as though he takes a bit too much pleasure in the task...maybe he felt guilty about that later?

[rhopen]

@CurtisMateer Hey Pete. I can't say if Pierrepoint took any pleasure is hanging people, but from what I understand he did take great pride in being very good at his job. By all accounts he took great care to get things over with as quickly and humanly as possible. There are many horror stories about other "less talented" hangmen who did not take as great care, so If I you had to be hung, you would want Pierrepoint to do it... Thanks Pete. -Ron

[rhopen]

Hi Os, thanks for stopping. I hope things are going well with you. I got you on my iPod :o) Have a great weekend. -Ron

[Dessan01]

Pierrepoint was a wonderful film, but littered with inaccuracies (the biggest been the American sub title he wasnt in fact the last hangman at all!). Many people who remember him, say the real Albert Pierrepoint was nothing like Timothy Spalls rather flattering portrayal. Theres many accounts that he would often make callous and macabre jokes about not wanting to leave people Hanging Around'.

[rhopen]

Indeed, I would think you would have to be somewhat "bent" to do such a job in the first place. I still think he was an admirable person in that he did take great care to get the job done as quickly and cleanly as possible. As I have said before, if you had to be hung you'd want Pierrpoint to do it. Thanks for the comments. -Ron

[zensho1]

This is a good piece of music. Intelligent lyrics, catchy tune. Well done. Get a CD out!!! I will buy it!

A takented muscian

[SilkFedora]

wow, that was really good.

[RIchardEPfeifer]

Just when I was about to say you were positive in content...I guess that's a matter of perspective....

[McPanchi]

Nice riff, good melody.

[sunaru1]

'.....through the gates of freedom.....'

Well done. Excellent lyrics with so much understanding.

[ImSoFrickinBored]

that was really good! you've got major talent

[FP51DPO]

great song, I just watched a film dead man walking and the US considers lethal injection a more humane method of execution... It seemed to take an age to kill the guy in the film (which I guess was dragged out a bit for the film) however when you consider Pierrepoint was able to take a man from his cell to his death within 7 seconds, it seemed rather more humane than many methods used today. This is a point of fact and not my opinion on the death penalty...

[rhopen]

@duckscli

Hey Duncan,

I think you are absolutely right about Pierrepoint's true nature. Perhaps his apparent change of heart was just an old man's attempt to get around the "ye shall be judged" clause haha. Thanks for the great comments this evening Duncan. Have a great New Years celebration and I'll talk with you again soon. -Ron