Fareweel ye dungeons dark and strong
Fareweel, fareweel to thee
MacPherson's song will not be long
Upon the gallows tree.
Sae rantonly, sae wantonly,
Sae dauntingly played he.
He played a tune and he danced a-roon,
Below the gallows tree.
It's little did me mither know
When first she cradled me,
That I would become a rovin' boy
And die on the gallows tree
Sae rantonly, sae wantonly,
Sae dauntingly played he.
He played a tune and he danced a-roon,
Below the gallows tree.
Untie these bands from off my hands,
An' gae to me my bow,
I've naught to leave my brave Scotland,
But a tune before I go.
Sae rantonly, sae wantonly,
Sae dauntingly played he.
He played a tune and he danced a-roon,
Below the gallows tree.
There's some come here to see me hang,
And some to buy my fiddle,
But before that I do part with her,
I'll break her through the middle.
Sae rantonly, sae wantonly,
Sae dauntingly played he.
He played a tune and he danced a-roon,
Below the gallows tree.
He's ta'en his fiddle into both his hands
And breaked her on his knee,
Said when I am gane no ither hands
Shall ever play on thee.
Sae rantonly, sae wantonly,
Sae dauntingly played he.
He played a tune and he danced a-roon,
Below the gallows tree.