Below the Gallows Tree

Farewell, ye dungeons dark and strong,
Farewell, farewell to thee.
MacPherson’s song will not be long
Upon the gallows tree.
«Say ron-ten-lee, say won-ten-lee,
Say don-ten-lee,"played he.
He played a tune and he danced aroun'
Below the gallows tree.
Oh, little did my mother know,
When first she cradled me,
That I would become a rovin' boy,
And die on the gallows tree.
«Say ron-ten-lee, say won-ten-lee,
Say don-ten-lee,"played he.
He played a tune and he danced aroun'
Below the gallows tree.
Untie these bands from off my hands,
And give to me my bow.
I’ve naught to leave my brave Scotland
But a tune before I go.
«Say ron-ten-lee, say won-ten-lee,
Say don-ten-lee,"played he.
He played a tune and he danced aroun'
Below the gallows tree.
There’s some come here to see me hanged,
And some to steal my fiddle.
But before that I do part with her
I’ll break her through the middle.
He took the fiddle into both his hands,
He broke it o’er his knee,
Sayin', «When I am gone no other hands
Shall ever play on thee.»
«Say ron-ten-lee, say won-ten-lee,
Say don-ten-lee,"played he.
He played a tune and he danced aroun'
Below the gallows tree.
He played a tune and danced aroun',
And they hanged him to the tree.