Poor Jamie. Such a short life but his memory lasts. Maybe he won in the end. His music was left for us. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful tune with us. I loved the ending, It gave me chills. It's always been a favorite of mine.

BJ

thank you all from the bottom of my demented heart.

i am glad you enjoyed it

macphersons fiddle

@Jim - this was sinister and energetic at its best 

It’s wonderful to hear the hurdy gurdy in such capable hands! Loved the sound effects at the end too! Bravo!

Dean

Woah, this was a cool read and listen.  I can see why this was requested.  sad fate.  aloha, irene

Love it!!  

So wonderful and dramatic- awesome job!!!

I love "Macpherson's Lament". Sounds perfect on the Gurdy!  It's a great piping tune as well :-) Seems that condemned fiddlers were good tune writers!

the whole storyl

Jamie Macpherson

The town square clock pealed the final toll of the hour as the trap door fell open beneath Jamie Macpherson’s feet. The crowd watched silently as the rope groaned and creaked  with  the weight of Macpherson swinging below So was the end of Jamie Macpherson, highwayman hung at the age of 25.

Born the illegitimate son of a highland Lord and beautiful gypsy girl; he grew into a man of uncommon stature, strength and intellect with no equal to his skills with sword or with fiddle. Rather then waste his natural gifts he decided to give himself up to the life of a highwayman.

Never perpetrating acts of thievery or harm upon any of the poor or distressed; Jamie found it much more fun to steal from the rich. Of course the local nobles and gentry took exception to this.

Finally captured, tried and convicted… McPherson penned the song “McPherson’s Lament” the night before his execution. He played it on the gallows and then offered his fine fiddle to who ever would play it at his wake.  No one accepted so he broke it over his knee threw it into the crowd and proclaimed, "No one else shall play Jamie Macpherson’s fiddle"

It is widely believed there was a rider in route to Baniff with a reprieve from one Lord Grant.  The town magistrates saw the riders approach and realizing this was a reprieve they conveniently set the village clock ahead 15 minutes.