Sam Hall (song)

Sam Hall” is an old English folk song about a bitterly unrepentant criminal condemned to death (Roud #369). Prior to the mid 19th century it was called “Jack Hall”, after an infamous English thief, who was hanged in 1707 at Tyburn. Jack Hall’s parents sold him as a climbing boy for one guinea, which is why most versions of the song identify Sam or Jack Hall as a chimney sweep.[1]

History

The song has only been collected from about 18 singers in the oral tradition, limited to England and the USA, and there have been only six sound recordings made.[2] Comic Minstrel C.W. Ross adapted one version in the 1850s, and changed the name from “Jack Hall” to “Sam Hall”. The song also appears to have been adapted to fit the region it was sung in; some versions refer to Sam Hall being hanged at Tyburn, some at Cootehill. Also it is unclear what, if any, uncouth language was original to the song. Various versions have Sam Hall call his executioners “muckers”, “fuckers”, “buggers”, “muggers”, or “bastards”.

To add to the confusion, the song is associated with the folk song “Captain Kidd”, aka “Robert Kidd”, as William Kidd was executed in the same year. The songs have similar metre and style, and it is unknown which came first.

A more vulgar variant has become an enduring cultural phenomenon among United States Air Force pilots. Known as "Sammy Small", this may be the best known drinking song among American fighter pilots. Covered by Dos Gringos in 2006 on their album "2", the lyrics have remained consistent at least since the Vietnam War.

See also "Samuel Hall's Family Tree" an article by Bertrand H. Bronson in California Folklore Quarterly, Vol. 1, No. 1 (Jan., 1942), pp. 47-64, Published by: Western States Folklore Society Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1495727

Versions

References