Notes About The Poem

IMAGE CREDIT - myfavourite western

A Funny Thing Happened On the Way To My Hanging

A funny thing happened on the way to my hanging
Couldn't sleep the night before my head was banging
I was innocent of a crime that I did not commit
But they roughed me up and got me to admit.

The face on the wanted posters said it was me
Anyone seeing those posters would be inclined to agree
I was in a horse drawn prison wagon with bars down the side
Thinking to myself, it will be my last ever ride.

Heading for the gallows then onto Boot hill
To pay for shooting a bank teller that I didn't kill
Two miles from the town all hell did break loose
Unbeknownst to me I'd be dodging the noose.

For ten desperados' brought the wagon to stop
Then ordered the guards, their weapons they drop 
Some gang members got me out and they set me free
The gang leader approached and he looked just like me.

He said " in this life you look out for your own "
Then he told me something that I hadn't known
" We were Separated at birth and we had the same mother "
And that this mean desperado was in fact my twin brother .

 " We heard that you'd been framed for our crime spree
But you are my brother and that's why we've set you free.
The teller had died because he went for his gun
We grabbed all the money and went on the run ".

He gave me some money and said " start a new life "
Told me head south, settle down and find a good wife
There was so much I wanted to ask him and so much to say 
My brother said " some other time, best be on your way " .

Written on 4th July 2018.
For a funny thing happened on the way to...poetry contest, sponsored by Robert Haigh.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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123
Crandall Avatar
April 8, 2024 at 9:17 AM
Tom, I enjoyed reading the Western themed story told by this poem.
Cunningham Avatar
April 8, 2024 at 10:31 AM
Thank you very much David, I'm happy you enjoyed it, this was one of three after requests from two poets on here. Tom
Kendrick Avatar
January 14, 2024 at 5:45 AM
I have read your work and enjoyed reading it. Keep on writing, using your creative muse. Sara K
Cunningham Avatar
January 14, 2024 at 10:33 AM
Thank you very much Sara, im happy you that you enjoyed it. This was just the start and I wrote two more after requests from poets on here. Tom
Dietrich Avatar
May 10, 2023 at 1:11 PM
i see this has a win and that it ended up your second best poem Really cool, tom!!
Cunningham Avatar
May 10, 2023 at 11:00 PM
Thank you very much Andrea, it was the first of three after Lin and Caren requested follow ups. Tom
Theraven Avatar
January 14, 2021 at 11:21 AM
Tom, The wild west, what a time. Was it really such a bad place to live? Except for cholera, smallpox, typhoid fever, diphtheria typhus, measles, shigella, etc. This poem has new meaning come the next 4th of July. -Richard
Cunningham Avatar
January 14, 2021 at 2:13 PM
Thank you Richard, its always fascinated me, stories of the wild west. I wrote another two parts to this one Same title with part deux and same title the conclusion. Hope you're keeping well. Tom
Macfarlane Avatar
November 15, 2020 at 4:11 PM
Tom, what a great western story set into poetry, love it, and yay it continues, will go read those now. Big congrats on your winning poem. Hugs
Cunningham Avatar
November 16, 2020 at 1:09 AM
Thank you very much Cecilia, it was a one off for a contest but after a couple of requests I continued the story. Tom
Hoffman Avatar
November 15, 2020 at 2:57 PM
What a great story put to poetic rhyme, Tom.
Cunningham Avatar
November 15, 2020 at 3:02 PM
Thank you very much Franci, this was the first of a trilogy I wrote. Tom
Rodrigues Avatar
November 14, 2020 at 7:35 AM
I remember this one, featured for your lifetime membership! Such a great one!
Cunningham Avatar
November 14, 2020 at 7:47 AM
Thank you very much Kim, that was the first, after requests from lin lane and Caren, two more followed. Tom
Dabydeen Avatar
November 14, 2020 at 12:40 AM
Welcome Tom. Interesting narrative flow in each quatrain of the poem. Lovely rhyme scheme to tease the reader. Lovely storey-line. Enjoy very much.
Cunningham Avatar
November 14, 2020 at 3:02 AM
Thank you very much Leonard, I'm pleased that you enjoyed it. Tom
William  Avatar
November 13, 2020 at 9:32 PM
What a wonderful poem! Love the flow.. Nice one!
Cunningham Avatar
November 14, 2020 at 3:01 AM
Thank you very much Carmael, I'm happy you liked it. Tom
Blown Avatar
November 13, 2020 at 2:48 PM
...wowza man....sometimes we do ride the reality waves of unseen constants and/or variables....for better or worse....stan sand
Cunningham Avatar
November 13, 2020 at 3:00 PM
Thank you very much Stan, you're so right. Tom
Kidd Avatar
November 13, 2020 at 2:12 PM
A song of hope for all of us innocents. As the Dalai Lama says, "Never Give Up"
Cunningham Avatar
November 13, 2020 at 2:14 PM
Thank you very much Joe, love the quote. Tom
Roper Avatar
November 13, 2020 at 12:27 PM
your story telling is awesome, Tom, enjoyed reading. Hugs Eve
Cunningham Avatar
November 13, 2020 at 12:40 PM
Thank you very much Eve, I'm happy you enjoyed it Hope you're doing well. Have a great weekend. Tom
Edmonds  Avatar
November 13, 2020 at 11:34 AM
What a magnificent write, a most enjoyable read Tom, fabulous... Belle
Cunningham Avatar
November 13, 2020 at 11:45 AM
Thank you very much Belle, there's another two parts to this of the same name, part deux and the conclusion if you enjoyed it. Have a lovely weekend. Tom
Watt Avatar
November 13, 2020 at 10:17 AM
Tom, such a great yarn set in the wild west. You have such a talent for verifying a compelling tale. I enjoyed this very much ~ John
Cunningham Avatar
November 13, 2020 at 10:53 AM
Thank you very much John, I grew up reading Louis L'Amours western novels and I suppose it rubbed off on me, I've been up to my neck(excuse the pun lol) in decorating and finished today, got some catching up to do on soup. Hope you are well and enjoy your weekend. Tom
O'Brien Avatar
November 13, 2020 at 10:10 AM
I think this is worth a classroom read. Simple enough and filled with history that can create nice conversation on Friday afternoon
Cunningham Avatar
November 13, 2020 at 10:49 AM
Thank you very much Marc, Im pleased you enjoyed it. Tom
Waddell Avatar
November 13, 2020 at 9:45 AM
I really enjoy reading your poems Tom
Cunningham Avatar
November 13, 2020 at 10:49 AM
Thank you very much Lisa, I hope you are keeping well. Enjoy your weekend. Tom
Wiggett Avatar
November 13, 2020 at 9:12 AM
What a wonderful adventure so cleverly formulated in a beautifully written poem. I loved it.
Cunningham Avatar
November 13, 2020 at 10:48 AM
Thank you very much Melody, im happy that you enjoyed it. Tom
Delaney Avatar
November 13, 2020 at 8:59 AM
Great storytelling, Tom: Congratulations on being. Featured poet. Your poems are so worth the spotlight. Big hugs, SuZ
Cunningham Avatar
November 13, 2020 at 10:47 AM
Thank you very much Suz, im pleased that you enjoyed it, I hope all is well with you. Have a lovely weekend. Tom
Cholt Avatar
June 19, 2020 at 10:52 AM
Nice twist in the story. I suspect something like this must really have happened back in the wild West. And you managed to escape the hangman's noose. A happy ending.
Cunningham Avatar
June 19, 2020 at 11:47 AM
Thank you very much W. A, I love stories of the old west, if you enjoyed this one there's another two parts to this story. Tom
Roper Avatar
January 13, 2020 at 7:31 AM
Great story, Tom, I've always enjoyed a good cowboy scene. but I would hate to look like another person that looks like me that has done wrong. Eve
Cunningham Avatar
January 13, 2020 at 8:22 AM
Thanks very much Eve, wrote a follow up to that story. Part deux. Tom
Shaw Avatar
January 2, 2020 at 2:50 PM
Wow; a nice take on a lucky break . . . : )
Shaw Avatar
January 2, 2020 at 6:40 PM
Yes; Tom, thank you and Happy New Year, to you and yours. Indiana . . . : )
Cunningham Avatar
January 2, 2020 at 3:06 PM
Thank you Indiana, happy you enjoyed it. Happy New year to you. Tom
Singh  Avatar
September 18, 2019 at 9:55 AM
Nice story being told through poem!
Cunningham Avatar
September 19, 2019 at 1:58 AM
Thank you Sakshi, happy you enjoyed it, wrote another with same title with part Deux at the end. Tom
Rodrigues Avatar
July 18, 2019 at 6:19 AM
Reread this one, Tom! Love the story and its humor...he best be on his way.
Cunningham Avatar
July 18, 2019 at 6:30 AM
Thanks Kim, my love of western novels inspired me. I wrote a follow up with the same title and added part deux. Tom
Roper Avatar
March 31, 2019 at 8:51 PM
Great story, Tom, congratulations on your win. Hugs Eve ~`*
Cunningham Avatar
April 1, 2019 at 6:34 AM
Thanks Eve, happy you enjoyed it. Tom.
Ligon Avatar
March 31, 2019 at 10:49 AM
Amusing story. Congrats on your placement!
Cunningham Avatar
April 1, 2019 at 6:33 AM
Thank you Juliet, glad you enjoyed it. Tom
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