Final answer:
The hymn 'The Old Rugged Cross' is a fitting song at Richardson's execution as it symbolizes sacrifice and redemption, which are common themes sought after by individuals facing execution. The cross metaphor aligns with historical examples of individuals turning to spiritual solace and seeking forgiveness in their final moments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The playing of the hymn "The Old Rugged Cross" at Richardson's execution can be seen as fitting due to the symbolic representation of the cross in literature, art and music as a symbol of sacrifice, redemption, and suffering. In the contexts provided from various historical and fictitious accounts, those facing execution often seek solace in a higher power or a spiritual sort of redemption and forgiveness as exemplified through Christian imagery and stories. This is in alignment with the stories of others who faced execution, such as the aforementioned Mr. Burroughs, who recited the Lord's Prayer, or John Brown, who became a martyr for his cause.
Through these accounts, one derives a deep sense of the emotional and spiritual state of a person about to be executed, and the role that spiritual songs or symbols, like the hymn "The Old Rugged Cross" or the cross itself, play in providing a form of consolation or expressing an unspoken understanding of one's predicament. The cross thus serves as a powerful metaphor for forgiveness and atonement in the face of death, connecting Richardson to a larger narrative of those seeking redemption at the end of their lives.