'Below the Gallows Tree' - C.1700 - Performed by Tom Roush

This is the true story of the death by hanging of 25-year-old Scottish outlaw Jamie MacPherson in 1700. Jamie was born in 1675, the illegitimate son of a Highland laird and a beautiful gypsy girl. He became a man of great physical strength, an expert swordsman, as well as a renowned fiddler. But his career was robbery-his band led by a piper invading the markets. At his final armed robbery, a woman dropped a blanket or carpet over him from a window and he was disarmed and captured. In his final hours in prison, he composed the tune and song MacPherson’s Lament or MacPherson’s Rant, then played it under the gallows and offered his fiddle to anyone in his clan who would play it at his wake. When no one came forward, Jamie busted the fiddle. He was hung in Banff for being an armed gypsy thief. The song was later rewritten by Scottish poet Robert Burns. The busted fiddle lies in the MacPherson Clan Museum near Newtonmore.

[@MorningDove]

There's so much about those who lived throughout the ages that we just dont know. You make them come to life through your beautiful music. Music is one thing that will never die!!! 🌿

[@WarrenWVa]

So glad to see something from you Mr. Roush. Lovely tune and singing sir, as always.

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

Thank you, Warren!!

[@abrahemsamander3967]

First time hearing this song. Love it.

[@BusterKitten]

another great song, love your voice and your talent on the instruments you've mastered!!

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

Thanks, Jim!!!

[@tocarryembers]

excellent singing and tune

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

Thanks, Easton!!!

[@TNgrandee3]

So good to hear you again, Tom. Your music continues to please my ears and touch my spirit. Stay safe.

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

Thank you, Deloris!

[@jimmyneil]

Thanks Tom, another superb arrangement from you, and your multi talented skill of instruments. I'm from Scotland, and though I know about Jamie, I've never heard this song before. Enjoyed the video as well.

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

Thanks, Jimmy!!!

[@dongaynor]

Awesome, Tom!

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

Thanks, Don!!!

[@rose72545]

Really enjoy your voice, arrangements, and song selections. Thanks for keeping the folk tradition alive!

[@HistoryBoy]

Thank you for everything Mr. Roush. Your work will live on.

[@mikenolan3060]

Great song fella.
Cheers from Australia

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

Thanks, Mike!!

[@Super241946]

End verse: A reprieve was comin' at three o'the clock
To set Mc Pherson free
But they put the clock an hour before
And they hanged him from that tree.

[@gryphus64]

A great song thanks!

[@sigridbohne]

Nice

[@johnjurkewicz9925]

I love it.

[@MattWalshSkinnyJean]

Rip brother

[@daver8521]

Many versions of this song. I think the chorus should be "Sae rantingly, sae wontingly, sae undauntedly gae he."

[@Pilot_engineer_19]

Very nice.

[@annemadison7258]

Thanks Tom, one of the best recordings I have heard of this song.

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

Thanks, Joshua!!

[@soldatensieg]

Are you still alive Joshua

[@zachsnyder4312]

I wonder if this inspired Waltzing Matilda. Nice job!

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

Thanks, Zach!!

[@adamhill413]

Waltzing Matilda is likely based on The Bonnie Woods of Craigielea - search on UA-cam and have a listen, you’ll hear the similarity.

[@determineddylan8793]

Hey Tom Roush, I hope you are doing great! Will the Down Among the Cane Brakes album be on Apple Music soon? It’s been quite a long time.

[@southerncaliforniaearlymus8869]

Please perform more early music! Your performance is quite lovely.

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

Thank you! I intend to perform more early music from the 1700s and 1800s.

[@oprdagreat8151]

I love be below the gallows tree

[@SarPixel]

nice music

[@coffeehubby]

The hangman could have asked for an encore and I would say " Cut me loose and I'll give you many more!"

[@determineddylan8793]

Hey Tom, when will the albums, Down Among the Cane Brakes and Patchworks be back on Apple Music?

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

'Down Among the Cane Brakes' should be up in the next 2 weeks, Thanks for reminding me to post it!

[@determineddylan8793]

Tom Roush sounds great thanks!

[@ImNotJoshPotter]

You think you could sing "I'm Alabama Bound" from 1909? I can't find anyone posting it on here

[@chipbuttytime3396]

These days armed robbers are turned into martyrs and they can't even fiddle.

[@kayade5305]

And pale gammons are living off the benefits of their thieving, genocide commiting ancestors. Thank goodness there won't be that much of them around in less than a hundred years. Sweet karma.

[@michaelpalmieri7335]

Which armed robbers are "turned into martyrs"?

[@chipbuttytime3396]

@@michaelpalmieri7335 GEORGE9XCONVICTED-FLOYD

[@robertsmyth4998]

@@chipbuttytime3396 on a lighter note you might like The Lancashire Hotpots, Chippy Tea 🇬🇧👍