Gallows Pole by Led Zeppelin is actually based on an old folk song that dates back centuries, as it was originally called The Maid Freed From The Gallows Lead singer Robert Plant adapted the lyrics from a version recorded by folk legend Lead Belly, keeping the dark story of someone pleading for their life before being hanged. Zeppelin’s version adds a haunting twist and in the end, even though the bribes come in, the execution still happens | Bacton