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| Also known as "Macpherson's Rant", this song concerns an outlaw with something of a Robin Hood reputation
who was active in the area of Scotland round Elgin, Forres and Banff. He was hanged in 1700. He was reputedly a
fine fiddler and is supposed to have composed this song and sung it on the gallows, before breaking his fiddle.
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| Fare ye weel ye dark and lonely hills, Far away beneath the sky. Macpherson's time will no be long on yonder gallows tree. Chorus Sae rantinly, sae wantonly, Sae dantinly gaed he. He played a tune, an' he danced it roon a blow the gallows tree It was by a woman's treacherous hand, That I was condemned tae dee. Upon a ledge on a window she stood, And a blanket she threw ower me. Chorus For there's some come here tae see me dee, An' some tae buy my fiddle But before that I do part wi' her, I'll brak her through the middle Chorus He took his fiddle in tae baith o' his hands An he brak' it ower a stane. Says no anither shall play on thee, When I am deid an' gane. Chorus The reprieve was comin' ower the Brig o' Banff, Tae set Macpherson free. Bit they pit the clock a quarter afore An they hanged him tae the tree. Chorus |
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