Part of
the refrain is old. One may imagine _The Highland Balou_ the lullaby
of Macpherson's child.
MACPHERSON'S FAREWELL
Farewell, ye dungeons dark and strong,
The wretch's destinie!
Macpherson's time will not be long
On yonder gallows tree.
Sae rantingly, sae wantonly, [jovially]
Sae dauntingly gaed he;
He played a spring and danced it round, [lively tune]
Below the gallows tree.
Oh, what is death but parting breath?
On mony a bloody plain
I've dared his face, and in his place
I scorn him yet again!
Untie these bands from off my hands,
And bring to me my sword,
And there's no a man in all Scotland,
But I'll brave him at a word.
I've lived a life of sturt and strife; [trouble]
I die by treacherie:
It burns my heart I must depart
And not avenged be.
Now farewell light, thou sunshine bright,
And all beneath the sky!
May coward shame distain his name,
The wretch that dares not die!
THE HIGHLAND BALOU
Hee balou! my sweet wee Donald, [Lullaby]
Picture o' the great Clanronald;
Brawlie kens our wanton chief [Finely knows]
Wha got my young Highland thief.
Leeze me on thy bonnie craigie! [Blessings on, throat]
An thou live, thou'll steal a naigie: [If, little nag]
Travel the country thro' and thro',
And bring hame a Carlisle cow.
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