# How to conduct a hanging **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [March 16, 2012, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-conduct-a-hanging/615963 "2012-03-16T14:28:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2012, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-conduct-a-hanging/615963/1 "2012-03-16T14:28:28Z")
In [Is there an official U.S. manual on how to conduct a hanging?](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/3042/is-there-an-official-u-s-manual-on-how-to-conduct-a-hanging), Cecil wrote: “… official pamphlet number 27-4, _Procedure for Military Executions_, … provides everything from rope specifications to instructions on what music to play before and after.” C’mon, Cecil, don’t leave us … er … hanging. What is (or was) the government-sanctioned pre- and post-execution music? I’ll bet it was a Spike Jones number, right? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2012, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-conduct-a-hanging/615963/2 "2012-03-16T14:36:02Z")
Intro: _I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead, You Rascal You_, by Louis Armstrong. Outro: _Wish You Were Here_, by Alice Cooper. ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2012, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-conduct-a-hanging/615963/3 "2012-03-16T14:36:38Z")
“Start spreading the noose, I’m hanging today…” ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2012, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-conduct-a-hanging/615963/4 "2012-03-16T14:37:29Z")
Before: _The escort will then proceed toward the scene of the execution, the band playing the “Dead March.”_ After: _The escort, with the band playing a lively air, will return to their parade ground and be dismissed._ ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2012, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-conduct-a-hanging/615963/5 "2012-03-16T14:48:50Z")
> **[Search results from Military Legal Resources, Available Online](https://www.loc.gov/collections/military-legal-resources/?q=)** > > Search results 1 - 25 of 2219. Here you go. Apparently before the execution they are supposed to play the “Dead March” and afterwards, a “lively air.” Heh. ETA: Damn you, Nemo! 😃 😃 😃 ---
**Author:** ![CaptainMetHead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8491ac/32.png) [@CaptainMetHead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptainMetHead)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2012, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-conduct-a-hanging/615963/6 "2012-03-16T15:43:55Z")
> **[Is there an official U.S. manual on how to conduct a hanging?](https://www.straightdope.com/21344133/is-there-an-official-u-s-manual-on-how-to-conduct-a-hanging)** The official pamphet. > **[Search results from Military Legal Resources, Available Online](https://www.loc.gov/collections/military-legal-resources/?q=)** > > Search results 1 - 25 of 2219. ---
**Author:** ![tincan715](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@tincan715](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tincan715)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2012, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-conduct-a-hanging/615963/7 "2012-03-16T16:50:55Z")
“…we’re one of the few remaining countries on earth where guidance on this subject is still in demand”. I think that’s a bit of an exaggeration. Amnesty International says ([http://www.amnesty.org/en/death-penalty/numbers](http://www.amnesty.org/en/death-penalty/numbers)) that 96 countries have abolished the death penalty, 58 still use have it, and 23 carried out executions in 2010. I wouldn’t call 58 or even 23 “a few”. Further, I suspect - but I am too lazy to do the research - that while only about a third of _countries_ still use the death penalty many of those like China have very large populations. How many _people_ live in a country that uses the death penalty? I’m thinking there is still plenty of reason to have official execution manuals, although I’ll acknowledge that ensuring executions are humane and aesthetic may not be a big priority everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2012, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-conduct-a-hanging/615963/8 "2012-03-16T17:16:29Z")
I think Uncle Cecil was referring to the use of hanging in particular, not the death penalty in general. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2012, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-conduct-a-hanging/615963/9 "2012-03-16T17:49:44Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I think Uncle Cecil was referring to the use of hanging in particular, not the death penalty in general. Agreed. In the second paragraph, either the _Alaska Justice Forum_ got the name wrong, or Cecil misquoted the magazine, but in any event it’s the “U.S. Marshals Service.” > **[Home](https://www.usmarshals.gov/)** > > The U.S. Marshals Service was the first federal law enforcement agency in the United States to protect the federal judiciary and apprehend federal fugitives ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2012, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-conduct-a-hanging/615963/10 "2012-03-16T17:52:41Z")
See also this thread: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=645404](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=645404) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2012, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-conduct-a-hanging/615963/11 "2012-03-16T17:53:44Z")
See also this thread: [How to conduct a hanging - Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=645392) ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2012, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-conduct-a-hanging/615963/12 "2012-03-16T18:36:36Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I think Uncle Cecil was referring to the use of hanging in particular, not the death penalty in general. Nope, he was referring to methods of execution other than hanging: > [@Cecil](#): > > However, although we didn’t look, we wouldn’t be surprised to learn there were federal manuals for other methods of execution, since we’re one of the few remaining countries on earth where guidance on this subject is still in demand. ETA: I’ve got to say that the figure detailing how to tie a noose is one of the prettiest drawings I’ve ever seen in a government manual. ---
**Author:** ![Geedavey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f6c823/32.png) [@Geedavey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geedavey)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2012, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-conduct-a-hanging/615963/13 "2012-03-16T19:39:13Z")
I’ll say this: If I was ever condemned to death, i’d choose hanging. It’s by far the fastest and most reliable way to go. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2012, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-conduct-a-hanging/615963/14 "2012-03-16T20:04:53Z")
> [@Geedavey](#): > > I’ll say this: If I was ever condemned to death, i’d choose hanging. It’s by far the fastest and most reliable way to go. unlike the other methods it also includes a thrill ride. ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2012, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-conduct-a-hanging/615963/15 "2012-03-16T22:03:08Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > After: _The escort, with the band playing a lively air, will return to their parade ground and be dismissed._ Man, U.S. Government, that’s cold. “And then, not only will you be dead, but we’ll all be happy about it! The band will play cheerful, upbeat music, the sun will be shining and the birds will be singing, and maybe there’ll be a rainbow and a single shaft of golden sunlight will illuminate your lifeless, broken-necked body dangling from the gallows!” ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2012, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-conduct-a-hanging/615963/16 "2012-03-17T12:36:29Z")
MODERATOR NOTE: THere were two different threads on the same topic, so I’ve merged them. That perhaps causes a wee hiccough in the trouser-legs of the time-space continuum, but you’ll deal with it. NOTE AS POSTER (NOT AS MODERATOR): **MEBuckner** , you’ve missed the mark (rare for you!) Instead: > [@](#): > > Ko-Ko: … When the day comes, there’ll be a grand public ceremonial – you’ll be the central figure, no one will attempt to deprive you of that distinction. There’ll be a procession – bands – dead march – bells tolling – all the girls in tears --… Then, when it’s all over, general rejoicings and a display of fireworks in the evening. _You_ won’t see them, but they’ll be there all the same. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2012, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-conduct-a-hanging/615963/17 "2012-03-17T12:56:09Z")
If, as Cecil reports, hanging has been discontinued, what is the current official method of execution for military convicts under the sentence of death? ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2012, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-conduct-a-hanging/615963/18 "2012-03-17T14:04:34Z")
I always understood that hanging was very imprecise. So many people didn’t end up with a broken neck and actually choked- and in some cases the hangman actually had tp grab the “victim” so his added weight did the job. (I have no cites for this). Also, I understand that the stress of the job was immense. Either alcoholics were employed, or the hangmen ended up alcoholics. For me it woud always be a lethal injection. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2012, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-conduct-a-hanging/615963/19 "2012-03-17T15:22:23Z")
> [@Geedavey](#): > > I’ll say this: If I was ever condemned to death, i’d choose hanging. It’s by far the fastest and most reliable way to go. Assuming proper training, a firing squad is actually the best way to go. I suspect that beheading is a fairly close second. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2012, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-conduct-a-hanging/615963/20 "2012-03-17T19:18:48Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > Assuming proper training, a firing squad is actually the best way to go. I suspect that beheading is a fairly close second. General anesthesia, as for surgery, followed by cutting off your oxygen after you’re under. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-conduct-a-hanging/615963.md?page=2)