m'pherson's farewell

    tune—“m'pherson's rant.”

    farewell, ye dungeons dark and strong,

    the wretch's destinie!

    m'pherson's time will not be long

    on yonder gallows-tree.

    chorus.—sae rantingly, sae wantonly,

    sae dauntingly gaed he;

    he play'd a spring, and danc'd it round,

    below the gallows-tree.

    o, what is death but parting breath?

    on many a bloody plain

    i've dared his face, and in this place

    i scorn him yet again!

    sae rantingly, &c.

    untie these bands from off my hands,

    and bring me to my sword;

    and there's no a man in all scotland

    but i'll brave him at a word.

    sae rantingly, &c.

    i've liv'd a life of sturt and strife;

    i die by treacherie:

    it burns my heart i must depart,

    and not avenged be.

    sae rantingly, &c.

    now farewell light, thou sunshine bright,

    and all beneath the sky!

    may coward shame distain his name,

    the wretch that dares not die!

    sae rantingly, &c.