Let Him Dangle by Elvis Costello
Let Him Dangle by Elvis Costello

Let Him Dangle

Elvis Costello * Track #2 On Spike

Download "Let Him Dangle"

Let Him Dangle by Elvis Costello

Release Date
Tue Feb 07 1989
Performed by
Elvis Costello
Produced by
Kevin Killen & Elvis Costello & T Bone Burnett
About

This song is based on the true story of Chris Craig and Derek Bentley. It is used to show the tragic irony and fundamental flaws of the death sentence.

Brief summary of the case:
Derek Bentley and Chris Craig committed a crime together and were armed and on the run when the police caught up to them...

Read more ⇣

Let Him Dangle Lyrics

[Verse 1]
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

[Chorus]
Let him dangle
Let him dangle
Doo-doot, doo-doo-doot, doo-doo-doot doo
Let him dangle
Let him dangle
Doo-doot, doo-doo-doot, doo-doo-doot doo

[Verse 2]
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

[Chorus]
Let him dangle
Let him dangle
Doo-doot, doo-doo-doot, doo-doo-doot doo
Let him dangle
Let him dangle
Doo-doot, doo-doo-doot, doo-doo-doot doo

[Verse 3]
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

[Chorus]
Let him dangle
Let him dangle
Doo-doot, doo-doo-doot, doo-doo-doot doo
Let him dangle
Let him dangle
Doo-doot, doo-doo-doot, doo-doo-doot doo

[Bridge]
Well it's hard to imagine it's the times that have changed
(String him up)
When there's a murder in the kitchen that is brutal and strange
(String him up)
If killing anybody is a terrible crime
(String him up)
Why does this bloodthirsty chorus come 'round from time to time?

[Chorus]
Let him dangle
Doo-doot, doo-doo-doot, doo-doo-doot doo

[Verse 4]
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

[Chorus]
Let him dangle
Let him dangle
Doo-doot, doo-doo-doot, doo-doo-doot doo
Let him dangle
Let him dangle
Doo-doot, doo-doo-doot, doo-doo-doot doo

[Bridge]
Well it's hard to imagine it's the times that have changed
(String him up)
When there's a murder in the kitchen that is brutal and strange
(String him up)
If killing anybody is a terrible crime
(String him up)
Why does this bloodthirsty chorus come 'round from time to time?
(String him up)

[Chorus]
Let him dangle

[Verse 5]
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

[Chorus]
Let him dangle
Let him dangle
Doo-doot, doo-doo-doot, doo-doo-doot doo
Let him dangle
Let him dangle
Doo-doot, doo-doo-doot, doo-doo-doot doo
Let him dangle
Let him dangle
Doo-doot, doo-doo-doot, doo-doo-doot doo
Let him dangle
Let him dangle
Doo-doot, doo-doo-doot, doo-doo-doot doo

[Outro]
String him up
Doo-doot, doo-doo-doot, doo-doo-doot doo
String him up
Doo-doot, doo-doo-doot, doo-doo-doot doo
String him up
Doo-doot, doo-doo-doot, doo-doo-doot doo

Let Him Dangle Q&A

Who wrote Let Him Dangle's ?

Let Him Dangle was written by Elvis Costello.

Who produced Let Him Dangle's ?

Let Him Dangle was produced by Kevin Killen & Elvis Costello & T Bone Burnett.

When did Elvis Costello release Let Him Dangle?

Elvis Costello released Let Him Dangle on Tue Feb 07 1989.

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