Macpherson's Farewell
for Hammered Dulcimer

by Jeanne Page

His cheek gently caressed the smooth worn curve of wood as the fiddle nestled in its familiar home beneath his chin. A tangle of emotions - anger, fear, sorrow --pounded in his breast, yet his trained hand did not tremble as he slid the horsehair bow lovingly across the string. The single, mournful note echoed against lonely prison walls and then was followed by another, and then another. It seemed as if his very soul vibrated within the beloved fiddle, then separated into tiny wisps released into a spirit world, note by note, tone by tone, as Jamie Macpherson composed this final tune…his own farewell to his people.

The tale of young James Macpherson opens like a cheap paperback romance and you can almost picture the cover of the novel-a portrait set in the misty moors of Scotland with a muscular, kilted warrior and a black-eyed beauty in his arms. For that is precisely where Jamie's story begins. A handsome Highland gentleman caught up in the merriment of a wedding celebration (and after enjoying just a wee bit too much whiskey) finds himself bewitched by a beautiful young gypsy girl. Nine months later he is presented with a son-a son that he does not hesitate to acknowledge as his own. The gentleman takes the boy into his home to raise as a cultured young Scotsman.

One day, while bravely pursuing the recovery of stolen cattle, the gentleman is killed, and the gypsy mother returns to the rich estate to reclaim her son. Young James Macpherson is thus whisked away to experience a new life in a Gypsy tribe where his musical gift of fiddling is especially appreciated. Through the years, Jamie's mother maintains contact with the Macpherson Clan and they generously provide clothing and money for the boy's care.

As years passed the boy James Macpherson grew tall, handsome and strong. His preserved sword is an implement of great length and weight, and it is clear that it could only have been wielded by a man of extraordinary strength and size.

Jamie had become a Highland freebooter and a "Robin Hood" of sorts, often giving the spoils of the rich to the poor. He was known to be a protector of widows and the fatherless, never committing acts of cruelty. The wealthy lairds of Banff and Aberdeen viewed Jamie as nothing more than a thief, though, and set out to capture him. One man, Duff of Braco, was especially intent on putting an end to Macpherson's exploits.

Some say that a member of Jamie's own tribe wished to rob the home of a gentleman while he was away at the funeral of his wife and two children. When Jamie denounced the plan the kinsman betrayed Macpherson to his enemies. A fierce fight at the Saint Rufus Fair in Keith commenced - and tradition states that Jamie was captured when a woman dropped a blanket over him from the window above. He became entangled in the cloth and was disarmed before he could escape it.

It mattered not what offense he was charged with, for his very blood convicted him. You see, in Scotland, it was a criminal offense merely to be an Egyptian (Gypsy). On November 7th, 1700 Jamie Macpherson was tried before the Sheriff of Banffshire. The Sheriff's decision is part of the public record: Jamie Macpherson was found guilty of being an "Egyptian," "a thief," and a "vagabond," "going up and down the country armed," As such he was sentenced "to be taken to the Cross of Banff" and "to be hanged by the neck to the death by the hand of the common executioner, upon Friday next, being the 16th day of November…betwixt the hours of two and three in the afternoon…"

It was this pronouncement that brought James Macpherson to a lonely prison cell with his beloved fiddle cradled in his arms. While his friends and followers worked hard to alert those in power who might step in and save Jamie's life, the condemned man himself used his last hours to compose his farewell lament.

Just 8 days after hearing his sentence pronounced James Macpherson found himself standing on the gallows on the Hills of Banff. Given the opportunity to say his last words, it is said that he recited the following rant written by his own hand:

"I spent my life in rioting, debauch'd my health and strength
I squander'd fast as pillage came, and fell to shame at length.
My father was a gentleman of fame and honour high
Oh mother, would you ne'er had bourne, the son so doom'd to die.
The Laird of Grand, the Royal Majesty,
Pass'd his great word for Peter Brown, and let Macpherson die.
But Braco Duff, with rage enough, first laid a snare for me,
And if that death did not prevent, aveng'd I well could be.
But vengeance I did never wreak, when power was in my hand,
And you, dear friends, no vengeance seek, it is my last command,
Forgive the man whose rage betray'd Macpherson's worthless life;
When I am gone, be it not said, my legacy was strife."

Jamie then gave the most moving performance of his life, as he gently rested the fiddle on his shoulder and played the haunting air he had composed behind prison walls. At its completion he held his beloved fiddle out to the surrounding crowd. Would any friend present take the gift of his fiddle and play his tune at his wake? The silence was deafening. When not one soul was brave enough to step forward and claim the instrument Jamie took the fiddle and broke it across his knee. Tossing the fragments into the crowd he cried, "No one else shall play Jamie Macpherson's fiddle!" (Some accounts say that he actually broke the fiddle over the executioner's head!). It was reported by some that Jamie then flung himself from the executioner's ladder, taking his destiny into his own hands. Whether Jamie or the executioner completed the act it was at that moment that MacPherson became a legend.

To add to the intrigue of the story, it is said that the clock of Banff was deliberately set 15 minutes ahead so that Jamie could be executed before a reprieve in route to save his life could arrive. According to tradition, the Doune Kirk on Macduff has clocks on three sides only. The clock facing Banff is blank as a show of disrespect and protest for the people of Banff setting their clocks forward to ensure Jamie's demise. The clock of Banff itself, is still set forward today.

Famed national poet, Robert Burns, was so moved by the story of James Macpherson that he created his own version set to the music written by Jamie himself. Below are the words penned by Burns:

(Chorus)
"Sae rantingly, sae wantonly, Sae dauntingly gaed he
He played a tune and' he danced aroon, beneath the gallows tree

(Verses)
Farewell, ye dungeons dark and strong, farewell, farewell to thee,
Macpherson's rant will ne'er be lang, on yonder gallows tree.

It was a woman's treacherous hand that I was condemned to dee
Beneath a ledge at a window she stood, and a blanket she threw o'er me,

Well the laird o'Grant, that highlan' sa'nt that first laid hands on me
He played the cause on Peter Broon to let Macpherson dee.

Untie these bands from off my hands, and gie to me my sword
There's nae a man in a'Scotland, but I'll brave him at a word.

There's some come here to see me hanged, and some to buy my fiddle
But before that I do part wi' her, I'll brak her thro' the middle.

He took the fiddle into both his hands, and he broke it o'er a stone
Says there's nae other hand shall play on thee, when I am dead and gone.

O, little did my mother think , when she first cradled me
That I would turn a rovin' boy, and die on the gallows tree.

The reprive was comin' o'er the brig o'Banff, to let Macpherson free
But they pit the clock a quarter afore, and hanged him to a tree.

Listen to Jeanne play "Macpherson's Farewell." (Begins with verse, followed by chorus.)

I hope the tale of young Jamie Macpherson has captivated you as it has me, and I do hope you'll enjoy playing my hammered dulcimer arrangement of "Macpherson's Farewell" below.

For more specific information you can learn about the Clan Macpherson and their Museum located in Newtonmore, Inverness-shire by visiting the website at www.clan-macpherson.org and many thanks to them for giving us permission to use the photos from their website.

If you'd like to learn more of the great traditional songs of Scotland including more of Robert Burns' compositions, check out my Mel Bay book A Scottish Songbook for Hammered Dulcimer. There you will hear about Bonnie Prince Charlie's narrow escape in "Skye Boat Song" and his people's longing for his return in "Will Ye Not Come Back Again?" Gypsies once again are featured prominently in the story of a bride leaving her Kingly groom at the altar to run away with her beloved "Jock O'Hazeldean." Enjoy tales of silkies-the creatures who are seals while they ride the ocean waves but become men when they come ashore (and tempt young, unsuspecting maidens). Honor your local bagpipers with your own rendition of "Scotland the Brave," bring a tear to the eye of the older generation as you sing of "the bonny, bonny banks of Loch Lomond," or prepare for next year's New Year's Eve celebration by learning Robbie Burns most famous tune "Auld Lang Syne." May you be inspired as I have, to explore the rich melodies and traditions of glorious Scotland!

About the Author

A native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Jeanne Page began her lifelong journey into folk music at age 12, singing and accompanying herself on guitar. Since then, she has gravitated to focus primarily on the hammered dulcimer and Celtic harp. She performs nationally with her band "The Next Chapter," and has taught privately and through the University of New Mexico. Jeanne is the director of a youth harp ensemble called the "Apple Mountain Harp Kids," and co-founded with her husband, Shane, the Apple Mountain Dulcimer Club and the Apple Mountain Harp Circle. She also co-founded, along with friends in the community, the Albuquerque Folk Festival.

Jeanne Page is the author of the following Mel Bay books:

Hammered Dulcimer Chords, 96675
Irish Songbook for Hammered Dulcimer, 99711
Scottish Songbook for Hammered Dulcimer, 99712
Arranging for Hammered Dulcimer, 98121

You can learn more about Jeanne and her recordings and publications at www.thenextchapter.net or jeannepage@comcast.net.

Special thanks go to Sion Gwylit, Jan Macpherson, Ewen Macpherson, the Clan Macpherson Association (www.clan-macpherson.org) and the Clan Macpherson House and Museum in Newtonmore, for provision of photographs and drawings to accompany this article.