MacPherson's Lament

Hamish Imlach

Originale

Versione dei Weavers, dalla compilation del 1964 intitolata "American...

MACPHERSON'S LAMENT Farewell, ye dungeons dark and strong, farewell, farewell to thee McPherson's life will no be long on yonder gallows tree Sae rantinly, sae wantonly, and sae dauntonly gaed he He played a tune and he danced around below the gallows tree 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 Sae rantinly, sae wantonly, and sae dauntonly gaed he He played a tune and he danced around below the gallows tree He took his fiddle in both of his hands, and he broke it o'er a stone Saying: "There's no other hand shall play on thee when I am dead and gone" Sae rantinly, sae wantonly, and sae dauntonly gaed he He played a tune and he danced around below the gallows tree The reprieve was coming o'er the Brig of Banff, to set McPherson free But they put the clock a quarter before, and they hanged him from a tree Sae rantinly, sae wantonly, and sae dauntonly gaed he He played a tune and he danced around below the gallows tree

BELOW THE GALLOWS TREE Farewell, ye dungeons dark and strong, Farewell, farewell to thee. MacPherson's song will not be long Upon the gallows tree. "Say ron-ten-lee, say won-ten-lee, Say don-ten-lee," played he. He played a tune and he danced aroun' Below the gallows tree. Oh, little did my mother know, When first she cradled me, That I would become a rovin' boy, And die on the gallows tree. "Say ron-ten-lee, say won-ten-lee, Say don-ten-lee," played he. He played a tune and he danced aroun' Below the gallows tree. Untie these bands from off my hands, And give to me my bow. I've naught to leave my brave Scotland But a tune before I go. "Say ron-ten-lee, say won-ten-lee, Say don-ten-lee," played he. He played a tune and he danced aroun' Below the gallows tree. There's some come here to see me hanged, And some to steal my fiddle. But before that I do part with her I'll break her through the middle. He took the fiddle into both his hands, He broke it o'er his knee, Sayin', "When I am gone no other hands Shall ever play on thee." "Say ron-ten-lee, say won-ten-lee, Say don-ten-lee," played he. He played a tune and he danced aroun' Below the gallows tree. He played a tune and danced aroun', And they hanged him to the tree.