I dighted ay her een sae blue, wiped, eyes
And bann'd the cruel randy; cursed, scoundrel
And weel I wat her willing mou' wot, mouth
Was e'en like sugar-candy.
At gloamin-shot it was, I trow, sunset
I lighted, on the Monday;
But I cam through the Tysday's dew, Tuesday's
To wanton Willie's brandy.
[Macpherson's Farewell], made famous by Carlyle's appreciation, is a glorified version of the “Dying Words” of a condemned bandit, such as were familiar in broadsides after every notorious execution. Part of the refrain is old. One may imagine [The Highland Balou] the lullaby of Macpherson's child.