Poesy

Song: M’Pherson’s Farewell

FAREWELL, ye dungeons dark and strong,The wretch’s destinie!M’Pherson’s time will not be longOn 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 plainI’ve dared his face, and in this placeI 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 ScotlandBut 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 avengèd 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.

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