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MacPhersons Rant (lyrics)
Farewell, ye dungeons dark and strongFarewell, farewell to thee.Macpherson's time will no' be langOn yonder gallows tree.
Chorus Sae rantingly, sae wontonlySae dauntingly gaed heHe played a tune an' he danced aroonBeneath the gallows tree.
It was by a woman's treacherous handThat I was condemned to dee Beneath a ledge at a window she stoodAnd a blanket she threw o'er me.
Chorus
Well the laird o' Grant, that highlan' sa'nt That first laid hands on me He played the cause on Peter BroonTo let Macpherson dee.
Chorus
Untie these bands from off my handsAnd gie to me my swordThere's nae a man in a' Scotland But I'll brave him at a word.
Chorus
There's some come here to see me hangedAnd some to buy my fiddleBut before that I do part wi' her I'll brak her thro' the middle.
Chorus
He took the fiddle into both his hands And he broke it o'er a stone Says there's nae other hand shall play on theeWhen I am dead and gone.
Chorus
O, little did my mother thinkWhen she first cradled me That I would turn a rovin' boyAnd die on the gallows tree.
Chorus
The reprive was comin' o'er the brig o' BanffTo let Macpherson freeBut they pit the clock a quarter aforeAnd hanged him to a tree.