Come down the back stairs when ye come to court me, Come down the back stairs when ye come to court me, Come down the back stairs, and let naebody see; And come as ye were na coming to me.1 MACPHERSON'S FAREWELL. TUNE-MPherson's Rant. James Macpherson was a noted Highland freebooter, of uncommon personal strength, and an excellent performer on the violin. After holding the counties of Aberdeen, Banff, and Moray in fear for some years, he was seized by Duff of Braco, ancestor of the Earl of Fife, and tried before the sheriff of Banffshire (November 7, 1700), along with certain gypsies who had been taken in his company. In the prison, while he lay under sentence of death, he composed a song and an appropriate air, the former com nencing thus: : "I've spent my time in rioting, Debauched my health and strength; 1 Burns afterwards altered and extended this song. 9 But dantonly, and wantonly, I'll play a tune, and dance it roun' When brought to the place of execution, on the Gallows-hill of Banff (Nov. 16), he played the tune on his violin, and then asked it any friend was present who would accept the instrument as a gift at his hands. No one coming forward, he indignantly broke the violin on his knee, and threw away the fragments; after which he submitted to his fate. The verses of Burns-justly called by Mr. Lockhart "a grand lyric" — were designed as an improvement on those of the freebooter, preserving the same air. FAREWELL, ye dungeons dark and strong, Macpherson's time will not be long On yonder gallows-tree. Sae rantingly, sae wantonly, Sae dauntingly gaed he; He played a spring, and danced it round, Oh, what is Death but parting breath? On many a bloody plain I've dared his face, and in this place Untie these bands from off my hands, And bring to me my sword; And there's no a man in all Scotland I've lived a life of sturt and strife It burns my heart I must depart, And not avenged be. Now farewell light, thou sunshine bright, May coward shame distain his name, The wretch that dares not die! STAY, my charmer, can you leave me? Well you know how much you grieve me; By my love so ill requited, STRATHALLAN'S LAMENT. The individual here meant is William, fourth Vis count of Strathallan, who fell on the insurgent side at the battle of Culloden, April, 1746. Burns, probably ignorant of his real fate, describes him as having sur vived the action, and taken refuge from the fury of the government forces in a Highland fastness. THICKEST night, o'erhang my dwelling! Crystal streamlets gently flowing, Busy haunts of base mankind, In the cause of right engaged, 1 Variation in MS. in possession of Mr. B. Nightingale frio.y Road, London: "Thickest night, surround my dwelling! Howling tempests, o'er me rave! Turbid torrents, wintry swelling, Roaring by my lonely cave!" Honour's war we strongly wagèd, But the heavens denied success. Ruin's wheel has driven o'er us, THE YOUNG HIGHLAND ROVER. TUNE-Morag. LOUD blaw the frosty breezes, The snaws the mountains cover; Like winter on me seizes, Since my young Highland Rover 1 The trees now naked groaning, Soon shall wi' leaves be hinging, 1 The Highland Rover is evidently meant for Prince Charles Stuart. |