Let Him Dangle

Bentley said to Craig, "Let him have it Chris"
 They still don't know today just what he meant by this
 Craig fired the pistol, but was too young to swing
 So the police took Bentley and the very next thing
 Let him dangle
 Let him dangle
 Let him dangle
 Let him dangle
 Bentley had surrendered, he was under arrest
 When he gave Chris Craig that fatal request
 Craig shot Sidney Miles, he took Bentley's word
 The prosecution claimed as they charged them with murder
 Let him dangle
 Let him dangle
 Let him dangle
 Let him dangle
 They say, Derek Bentley was easily led
 Well, what's that to the woman that Sidney Miles wed
 Though guilty was the verdict and Craig had shot him dead
 The gallows were for Bentley and still she never said
 Let him dangle
 Let him dangle
 Let him dangle
 Let him dangle
 Well, it's hard to imagine it's the times you have changed
 When there's a murder in the kitchen that is brutal and strange
 If killing anybody is a terrible crime
 Why does this bloodthirsty chorus come 'round from time to time
 Let him dangle
 Not many people thought that Bentley would hang
 But the word never came, the phone never rang
 Outside Wandsworth Prison there was horror and hate
 As the hangman shook Bentley's hand to calculate his weight
 Let him dangle
 Let him dangle
 Let him dangle
 Let him dangle
 Well, it's hard to imagine it's the times you have changed
 When there's a murder in the kitchen that is brutal and strange
 If killing anybody is a terrible crime
 Why does this bloodthirsty chorus come 'round from time to time
 Let him dangle
 From a welfare state to society murder
 Bring "Back the noose" is always heard
 Whenever those swine are under attack
 But it won't make you even
 It won't bring him back
 Let him dangle
 Let him dangle
 Let him dangle
 Let him dangle
 Let him dangle
 Let him dangle
 Let him dangle
 Let him dangle
 (String him up)
 (String him up)
 (String him up)