Robert Burns (1759–1796). Poems and Songs.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

209 . Song—M’Pherson’s Farewell

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 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.