Traditional Music LibraryMacPherson's Lament

MacPherson's Lament

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Summary

The tune of this song is said to have been composed by James MacPherson, the night before his execution in November 1700. As the noose was placed around his neck he played on his fiddle, the tune to which Burns's words are set. Born of an aristocratic father and beautiful gypsy mother, MacPherson was an outlaw of the Robin Hood mould taking only from the rich and acting as the champion of the poor. It is said that he played the tune on his gallows and when none of his clan took up his offer on the fiddle if they would play it at his wake, he broke it and jumped to his death.

Lyrics

MacPherson's Rant

Words by Robbie Burns

Tune Traditional

 

Fareweel, ye dungeons dark and strang, fareweel,fareweel tae ye,
MacPherson's time will no be lang on yonder gallows tree

Chorus

Sae rantinly and sae wantonly, sae dauntinly gaedhe
For he played a tune and he danced aroon, below the gallows tree

It was by a woman's treacherous hand that I wascondemned tae dee
Above a ledge at a window she sat and a blanket she threw ower me

Chorus

There's some come here tae see me hang, and somecome tae buy my fiddle
But before that I would part wi her I'd brak her through the middle

And he took the fiddle in tae baith o his hands andhe brak it ower a stane
Sayin, nay other hand shall play on thee when I am dead and gane

Chorus

The reprieve was comin ower the Brig o Banff taeset MacPherson free,
But they pit the clock a quarter afore, and they hanged him frae the tree.

Chorus