Lyrics and translation The Weavers - Below the Gallows Tree (Live)

Below the Gallows Tree (Live)

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.

Sous l'arbre de la potence (Live)

Adieu, ye dungeons dark and strong,
Adieu, 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.