This song is so funny! I love it. There's not much to it...basically, Sam Hall's a guy who's crimes have finally caught up to him and he's going to hang for them. Everyone came to "see him off," so he responds being giving them the metaphorical one-fingered salute. He figures if he's got to go, he's not going to do so nicely, so "a-swingin' he must go."
This song is so funny! I love it. There's not much to it...basically, Sam Hall's a guy who's crimes have finally caught up to him and he's going to hang for them. Everyone came to "see him off," so he responds being giving them the metaphorical one-fingered salute. He figures if he's got to go, he's not going to do so nicely, so "a-swingin' he must go."