Bedlam Bards - MacPherson's Farewell Lyrics
Fareweel, ye dungeons dark and strong, fareweel, Fareweel tae thee.McPherson’s time will nae be lang, on yonder gallows tree.ChorusSae rantin'ly, sae wantonly, sae dauntin'ly gaed heHe played a tune and danced it roon', below the gallows tree.'Twas by a woman's treacherous hand, that I was condemned to dee.Below a ledge at a window she stood, and a blanket she threw o'er me.ChorusThe Laird o' Grant, that hieland sant, that first laid hands on me,He played the cause on Peter Broon, tae let MacPherson free.ChorusUntie these bands frae off my hands, and gie to me my sword.There's no' a man in all Scotland, but I'll brave him at a word.ChorusThere's some come here tae see me hanged, and some to buy my fiddle.But before I do part wi' her, I'll brak her thro' the middle.ChorusHe took the fiddle in both of his hands, and he broke it o'er a stone.Says,"There's nae ither hand shall play on thee, when I am dead and gone."ChorusO little did my mother think, when first she cradled me,That I would turn a rovin' boy, and die on the gallows tree.ChorusThe reprieve was comin' o'er the brig o' Banf, tae let McPherson free,But they pit the clock a quarter before, and hanged him tae the tree.Chorus
