The Canary/M'Pherson's Farewell

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For other versions of this work, see M'Pherson's Farewell (Burns).
4509743The Canary — M'Pherson's FarewellRobert Burns (1759-1796)

M'Pherson's Farewell

Farewell, ye dungeons dark and strong
The wretch's destiny!
M'Pherson's time will not be long
On yonder gallows-tree,
Sae rantingly, sae wantonly,
Sae dantingly 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 dar'd his face, and in this place
I scorn him yet again!
Sae rantingly, &c.

Untie these bands from off my hands,
And bring to me my sword,
And there's not 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 aye stain his name,
The wretch that dares not die!
Sae rantingly, &c.