Chorus
Sae rantingly, sae wantonly,
Sae dauntingly gaed he,
He play'd a spring, and danc'd it round
Below the gallows-tree.
1.
Farewell, ye dungeons dark and strong,
The wretch's destinie!
MacPherson's time will no be long
Below the gallows-tree.
2.
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!
3.
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.
4.
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.
5.
Now farewell light, thou sunshine bright,
And all beneath the sky!
May coward shame distain his name,
The wretch that dare not die!

Chorus
So rantingly, so wantonly,
So dauntingly went he,
He played a spring, and danced it round
Below the gallows-tree.

Farewell, you dungeons dark and strong,
The wretch's destiny!
MacPherson's time will no be long
Below the gallows-tree.

O, what is death but parting breath?
On many a bloody plain
I have dared his face, and in this place
I scorn him yet again!

Untie these bands from off my hands,
And bring to me my sword,
And there is not a man in all Scotland
But I will brave him at a word.

I have lived a life of trouble and strife;
I die by treachery:
It burns my heart I must depart,
And not avenged be.

Now farewell light, you sunshine bright,
And all beneath the sky!
May coward shame disdain his name,
The wretch that dare not die!