Gallows Pole - Led Zeppelin's Influences

LED ZEPPELIN'S INFLUENCES

Gallows Pole

The original source for Led Zeppelin's "Gallows Pole" was Leadbelly's "Gallis Pole." "Gallows Pole" on Led Zeppelin III is listed as "Traditional." On some of Leadbelly's recordings, however, songwriting credit is given to Leadbelly and John and Alan Lomax. Alan Lomax, along with his father John, were instrumental in popularizing a wide range of American folk music. Beginning in the 1930s, Alan Lomax produced a great volume of field recordings of folk musicians, focusing in particular on the American South. John and Alan Lomax first recorded Leadbelly while he was in prison and they brought him to national attention. Leadbelly was a master of many styles of music, wrote many songs and adapted many tunes that he had heard over the years. Jimmy Page said that he had heard a version of this song by an obscure folk artist named Fred Gerlach. Where Leadbelly and Fred Gerlach had each played "Gallis Pole" in a 12-string guitar, Led Zeppelin's recording features John Paul Jones on Mandolin and Jimmy Page on Banjo.

Recommended Listening

		Leadbelly - The Tradition Masters Leadbelly's discography is extensive and difficult to sift through. This release is interesting because it contains "Gallis Pole" but also "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" covered by Nirvana on MTV Unplugged in New York.

		Fred Gerlach - 12 String Guitar: Folk Songs and Blues

Compilations of Original Versions

"Gallis Pole" by Leadbelly is included on The Early Blues Roots of Led Zeppelin and Zeppelin Classics.

The Blues and Folk
Roots of
Led Zeppelin's Music.
Are They Plagiarists?

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