MACPHERSON'S LAMENT
(traditional Scottish ballad learned from Jean Redpath in 1959)
Fareweel, ye dungeons dark and strang,
'Twas by a woman's treacherous hand, that I was condemned to dee,
The Laird of Grant, that Hieland sant, that first laid hands on me,
Untie these bands fra' off my hands, and gie tae me my sword,
O little did me mither think, the day she cradled me,
For what is death but parting breath, on mony a bloody plain,
So farewell, light, thou sunshine bright, and all beneath the sky,
There's some o' ye come tae see me hanged, and some tae buy my fiddle,
He's ta'en his fiddle into baith o' his hands, and brak' her o'er a steyn,
The reprieve was comin' o'er the Brig of Banff, to let MacPherson free,
(from miriam berg's folksong collection)
(music calligraphy by miriam berg)
MacPherson's day will no' be lang,
Upon the gallows tree i'll hang,
Sae wantonly, sae rantingly, and sae dauntingly gaed he,
He's played a tune, and he's danced it roond, below the gallows tree.
Below a window ledge she stood, and threw a blanket o'er me.
Sae wantonly (etc.)
He's played the cause to Peter Broom, to let MacPherson dee.
Sae wantonly (etc.)
And there's nae a man in all Scotland, but I'll brave him at a word.
Sae wantonly (etc.)
That I would turn a rovin' boy, and die on the gallows tree.
Sae wantonly..
I've dared his face and in this place, I'll scorn him yet again.
Sae wantonly (etc.)
May coward shame disdain his name, the wretch that dares not die!
Sae wantonly (etc.)
But before that I do part wi' her, I'll brak' her thrae the middle.
Sae wantonly (etc.)
Sayin, There's nae ither hand shall play on thee, when I am dead and gane.
Sae wantonly (etc.)
But they pit the clock at a quarter afore, and hanged him tae the tree.
Sae wantonly (etc.)