Tommy Makem – Mcpherson's Lament lyrics

Farewell ye dungeons dark and strong
Farewell, farewell to thee
McPherson's life will no be long
On yonder gallows tree

Chorus:
Sae rantingly, sae wantingly and sae dauntingly gaed he
He played a tune and he danced around below the gallows tree

Take off these bands from off my hands
And give to me a sword
For there's not a man in all Scotland
But I'd brave him at his word

There's some come here for to see me hung
And some to buy my fiddle
But before that I do part with her
I'll break her through the middle

He took his fiddle in both of his hands
And he broke it o'er a stone
Saying "There's nae ither hand shall play on thee
When I am dead and gone"

The reprieve was coming o'er the Brigg of Banff
For to set McPherson free
But they put the clock a quarter before
And they hanged him from a tree