Elvis Costello › Lyrics › 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)