18. McPherson’s Rant

Chanson traditionnelle, Ecosse.

1.
Farewell ye dungeons dark and strong
Farewell, farewell tae thee
MacPhersons time will no be long
On yonder gallow's tree

2.
It was by a woman's treachorous hands
That I was condemned tae dee
She stood uben a windae ledge
And a blanket threw o'er me

(Ref.)
Sae rantingly, sae wantonly
And sae dauntingly gaed he
He played a tune and he danced around
Alow the gallow's tree

3.
Oh what is death, but parting breath
On mony a bloody plain
I've daur'd his face, and in his place
I scorn him yet again
(Ref.)

4.
I have lived a life, o' straught and strife
I die by treachery
It burns my heart, that I must depart
An no avenged be
(Ref.)

5.
So tak these bands fae aff my hands
Gae to me my sword
There's nae a man in a' Scotland
But I'll brave him at a word

6.
Now farewell light thou sunshine bright
And all beneath the sky
May coward shame distain his name
The wretch that dare not die
(Ref.)