- MacPherson's Rant

James MacPherson was brought to his place of execution, on the Gallows Hill of Banff (16th November, 1700). Legend has it that the bold outlaw played a fiddle tune he had composed in his cell, offering the fiddle to anyone who could play it back for him. When none could, he broke the fiddle rather than leave it in incompetent hands. It is universally believed in the Northeast that a reprieve was on the way to Banff at the time of the execution, and that the town clock was put forward a quarter of an hour so MacPherson could be hanged before the reprieve arrived.
Nolan Murray composed the instrumental section, which is named, The Hangman's Two-Step.

Track 10 of Buchan Bluegrass (2005)

Farewell ye dungeons dark and strong
A wretch's destiny
McPherson's life will no be long
On yonder gallows tree

Sae rantingly, sae wantingly, sae undauntedly gaed he
He played a tune and he danced around
Below the gallows tree

There's some come here for to see me hung
And some to buy my fiddle
But before that I do part with her
I'll break her through the middle

He took his fiddle in both of his hands
And he broke it o'er a stane
Saying "There's nae ither hand shall play on thee
When I am dead and gane"

Take these binds frae off my hands
And gi' to me my sword
For there's no other man in all th' land
But I'd brave him at his word

The reprieve was coming o'er the Brigg of Banff
For to set McPherson free
But they put the clock up a quarter before
And they hanged him from a tree

Sae rantingly, sae wantingly, sae undauntedly gaed he
He played a tune and he danced around
Below the gallows tree

And then fareweel light and sunshine bright
And all beneath the sky
And let fate distain to speak his name
The wretch that fears to die

traditional, adapted and arranged Bruce Coughlan and Nolan Murray