The Hanging Tree
Uriah Heep · Firefly [1977]
Passing through the arms of satan
Reaching for the hands of god
Robbing every mind for wisdom
Running so he won't get caught
He's outlawed by majority
Been branded all his life
Some say that he's a sinner man
As he rides from day to night
He's a bad man, so they say
Living for his love and living free
Riding swift and secretly
So he'll miss the hanging tree
Wounded spirit on the wind
Riding to his dream and destiny
He's laughing at the wanted posters
Calling for his friends to see
Laughing aloud as he rides away
Kicking up the dust with speed
Time hands him down a pathway
And freedom is a horse he rides
Glory is a dream he's after
And fortune is his heart's delight
Riding swift and secretly
So he'll miss the hanging tree
Wounded spirit on the wind
Riding to his dream and destiny
Reaching for the hands of god
Robbing every mind for wisdom
Running so he won't get caught
He's outlawed by majority
Been branded all his life
Some say that he's a sinner man
As he rides from day to night
He's a bad man, so they say
Living for his love and living free
Riding swift and secretly
So he'll miss the hanging tree
Wounded spirit on the wind
Riding to his dream and destiny
He's laughing at the wanted posters
Calling for his friends to see
Laughing aloud as he rides away
Kicking up the dust with speed
Time hands him down a pathway
And freedom is a horse he rides
Glory is a dream he's after
And fortune is his heart's delight
Riding swift and secretly
So he'll miss the hanging tree
Wounded spirit on the wind
Riding to his dream and destiny
The Hanging Tree
Uriah Heep's 1977 track 'The Hanging Tree' stands as a defining example of their hard rock evolution, blending melodic sensibilities with the band's signature power chords. Recorded for the album 'Firefly,' the song exemplifies the era's shift toward a more polished, yet driving, sound that would characterize their subsequent work. The composition features a soaring vocal performance by Marc Bolan's successor, David Byron, delivering the haunting chorus that became a staple of their live sets. As a key track on 'Firefly,' it showcases the band's ability to craft anthemic rock songs that resonated deeply with audiences, solidifying their status as pioneers of the 1970s hard rock genre.