Before his beheading Cromwell beseeched "mercey, mercey, mercey", but in vain.
Those weren't his last words, but the last line of aletter he wrote to the King asking for clemency: "Most gracious Prince, I cry for mercy, mercy, mercy." That's Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII one time right hand man; not Oliver Cromwell, Puritan leader who defeated Charles I. Thomas was Oliver 2nd great-uncle.
Gary Gilmore's last words: "Let's do it."
Other last words of those facing execution:
"I'd like to thank my family for loving me and taking care of me. And the rest of the world can kiss my ass."
Johnny Frank Garrett, Sr., lethal injection, Texas, February 11, 1992
"Good people are always so sure they're right.
Barbara Graham, gas chamber, San Quentin June 3, 1955
"How about this for a headline for tomorrow's paper? French fries."
James French, electric chair, Oklahoma, 1966
"Well, gentlemen, you are about to see a baked Appel."
George Appel, electric chair, New York, 1928
"Take a step forward, lads. It will be easier that way."
Erskine Childers, Irish patriot, firing quad, November 24, 1922
"Capital punishment: them without the capital get the punishment."
John Spenkelink, electric chair, Florida, May 25, 1979
"There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is God's messenger."
Saddam Hussein, hanged, December 30, 2006