Scottish Folk History: The Story of MacPherson's Rant
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ก.ค. 2024
- MacPherson's Rant is a story from Scottish history that's morphed into one of Scotland's Folk tales and folk songs. Bruce Fummey takes you to the places associated to tell you the tale
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Scotland History Tours is here for people who want to learn about Scottish history and get ideas for Scottish history tours. I try to make videos which tell you tales from Scotland's past and give you information about key dates in Scottish history and historical places to visit in Scotland. Not all videos are tales from Scotland's history, some of them are about men from Scotland's past or women from Scotland's past. Basically the people who made Scotland. From April 2020 onward I've tried to give ideas for historic days out in Scotland. Essentially these are days out in Scotland for adults who are interested in historical places to visit in Scotland.
As a Scottish history tour guide people ask: Help me plan a Scottish holiday, or help me plan a Scottish vacation if your from the US. So I've tried to give a bit of history, but some places of interest in Scotland as well.
Get the story of Scotland's other Freebooting rogue, Rob Roy here th-cam.com/video/5qhW1W1EXUE/w-d-xo.html
Grand Rising to a New Day of expanded knowledge.........
Eye saw one of your presentations
and I SUBBED right away.......
My reason was Clear to me, I've been exposed to this information recently through a close family Friend who exclaimed that their Grandparents were..................
Scottish...........well along w/ other research that I'm involved in currently, BIG BELLY LAUGH FROM CHICAGO............YOU ARE SOOOO
RIGHT BROTHER FROM ANOTHER
MOTHER........
I'm going to enjoy this ride.........
My Mannnnn.
WELLNESS RECOVERY
WHOLENESS BALANCE
PEACE POWER'S 🔋
What a cool name hes got 😉😉😉
Scotland History Tours - Someone mentioned the "Macpherson Strut". We have one on display in the museum :)
I am the current curator of the Clan Macpherson Museum and I can confirm the we have the remnants of Jamie Macpherson's fiddle :) Please come along and have a look :)
Im a macpherson from Aotearoa new Zealand 🇳🇿 would love to visit one day
MacPherson and a McCaffery here!
I hope some day I can come and see your museum.
A great tale about someone I'd never heard off. This story would make a great movie or tv show. Well told.
There in lies the problem , most historical events are never well told by the movies , think Braveheart !
Have you heard The song McPhersons Rant by the Corries?
We're all of us gypsies. Just traveling through.
Well done.
Scotland needs you!
Never mind MacPherson's Rant, his strut is a piece of engineering genius!
Not entirely sure I get that 🙄 I feel a bit stupid now
@@ScotlandHistoryTours just me being silly. A MacPherson strut is clever type of car suspension.
@@gustavmeyrink_2.0 😂😂😂🙈
Isn't there a dance or a piece of music called MacPherson's Reel? I wonder if there's any connection?
@@michaelstamper5875 yeah but can you strut to it?
At school in Banff we were told that when Macduff built it’s new kirk around 100 years after the hanging, the clock tower was deliberately only given 3 faces, with the one facing Banff left blank, as a way to continually protest the unfair treatment of MacPherson and the members of the public of Banff refusing to take his fiddle, or something along them lines. The kirk still only has three clock faces on it today.
Great video again Bruce!
Aye I heard that too right enough
Brilliant again Bruce thanks! I like the wee tales of the lesser known people and events. Really gives more character to the cultural history of Scotland. Thanks man!
Steve
This is one of my favourite stories "Fa will tak my fiddle?". I remember being told this story when I was a kid and being outraged and dismayed more at the crowd than the Duff. My all time favourite is the story of Lord Forbes of Pitsligo partly because he was local but mostly because he died an old man despite the efforts of the redcoats (one of the few Jacobite stories with a happy ending).
one of your ancestors Cousin
They're probably watching thinking, "I can get a really good ballad out of this"
@@colinmacdonald5732
Didn't they? The what have I been singing for 50 years? Oh, dinna fash. My mistake.
I grew up on this tale, and learned the song at age 5.
It was complete with the outrage.
A warrior poet. I raise my glass, well met and done.
Know the tune but didn't know the story, also didn't know the fiddle survived!
We like to think of ourselves as a progressive egalitarian society but it's worth remembering stories like MacPherson's in our not too distant past.
had never heard of him, but your telling absolutely captivated me
Another good tale of A Scotsman. Thanks Bruce
Brilliant 👍😁 I luv hamish imlach’s macphersons farewell
Our group plays the tune (gorgeous) and tells that history. Now I have a couple extra details to add to that. Thanks.
how tragic . Thank you Bruce
LOVE THAT SONG & always wondered about the story behind it. Thank you 🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴
Thanks Bruce. ‘Creag Dhubh Chlann Chatain!'
I've watched many of your videos. Thankyou for alluding to the egyptians act. That touched me
I know the song, but not the story behind it.
This is spine chilling, thank you SO MUCH 🙏🏻❤️🕊️⚖️🏴🏴🏴
You're welcome
Love it! What a tune, tae. Make more videos of these unknown heros, please please! Jock o braideslee and the black colonel spring to mind. Great research and what a storyteller. It's an art form.
Know the tune well (it's also known as MacPherson's Lament or Farewell), and it's a powerful song, with lyrics added later, as you say. Didn't, however, know the story behind it, or that the story is so dramatic, colourful and worthy of a movie by itself. Thanks for this, and your other videos - they really fill in a lot of blanks. Slainte.
This is the type of history I really like the small mans history is everyone’s history thank you so much
That’s my clan!!! I too am mixed and part Scottish on my mother’s side.
Another excellent presentation
One of my favourite Corries songs
One of my favorite songs and now I know the story behind it.
Bruce has a crackin voice for this kinda thing. Love these videos.
What a fascinating tale. As a fan of Scottish and Irish music I'd love to hear more stories that are the origins of Scottish ballads. I think music is a great way to learn about a culture.
Try "Bonnie Susie Cellan" song based on a true court case.
She was convicted of 'disobedience' for falling in love with a Sassanach. She was burnt at the stake by her brother.
Thanks for that, I've just heard three versions of the song. really fascinating listening that highlights the dangers of nationalism and bigotry.@@kathleenferguson3296
New to the chanel but could listen to you all day.
I researched my family history. Low landes with the stereotypical ginger hair runs through the family.
Keep up the good work.
Bright blessings from sunny England 💫💜💫
Welcome aboard!
There's a road named after MacPherson here in wee farawg Singapore.
One of Scotland's greats , shame he's not as well remembered as other
This is fantastic! Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome
loved the video
I was just saying that I'm a MacPherson and this popped up!😁 I never heard cool stories about our ancestors except the bit with Bonnie Prince Charlie, but my great grandmother had me absolutely convinced that Sawney Bean's ghost was not only in America, but would also catch me, cook me and eat me in a stew if I wasn't home by 8pm.
I assure you, I was never late getting home.
Im Macpherson as well from new Zealand 🇳🇿
@@NZ_NATIV3
Howdy, cousin!
Top story Bruce ,loved it . Piping as you go to relieve the man of a few cow ! 😂
Love the tune ... thanks for regaling the story behind it! I've long wondered what the background to it all was🍻
No worries!
Always liked the tune, especially by the Corries, and carefully photographed that fiddle - twice - in the museum. Thanks for a fine yarn!
My pleasure George!
You’re doing a grand job
New subscriber! Excellent videos brother. I see your videos on my recommendations feed and delighted I clicked. Being from Ireland, Belfast. I'm studying Irish clans, families and Earls myself and our connections to the Scotland and the people. Your videos are very insightful and have been a great help. Keep up the amazing work. Alba agus Eire go bragh!
Sgoinneil
Wow! That is so messed up.
🌹🦋❤️☮️🇺🇸
Thank you! This has to be one of my favorite stores so far, and I've watched almost all of them. Nothing like illicit sex, betrayal, Robin Hood-style heroes, and fiddling away to a wrongful death to spite your enemies! BRAVO, SIR! And if you and yours ever by chance happen through Spokane, WA, USA, then mine and me would happily put you up for the night, and make you dinner!
I'm on my way
i love your shows and your voice, accent and smile is awesome and the stories are magical and historically accurate. Thanks!
Wow, thank you!
Excellent story and storytelling as usual. Sounds like you're using more of your accent than previous videos and I heartily appreciate it.
Now there's a thing. I did have somebody complain that they listened for 4 minutes and couldn't hear English😂
@@ScotlandHistoryTours ha. "I want to hear Scottish folk tales told by a Scot with a non regional accent"
Glad someone had done this great stirring video.
Thanks 👍
Content is always so interesting and thought-provoking. AND your production details - 'Boooo' audio insert, 2nd camera and giving 'The Look' ... HA! Brilliant. Well done, as ever.
😜
Great story. You have the gift.
My goodness. I never knew 90% of this MacPherson story. Thank-you, sir.
I love how you self promote without being overburdening; very nice, good work. Love your content.
Merry Christmas to you and your family Bruce,I seem to recall this song might have been called macphersons lament when I heard it sung more than 50 years ago in the north east at a folk club?
Keep up the good job you’re doing ,I have learned more from you the the books I have read.👍👍
The song and the tune go by both names, interchangeably.
Well done
I wish I'd a pound for every time I've sung his praises even in Dufftown (several times) & around the Morayshire, Banff & Buchan or Inverness areas.
Well he was definitely something of a lad. You have to wonder what he would have achieved if he had been legitimized and was allowed to inherit from his father.
His singing of his lament put me in mind of the highwayman John Rann. Known as 'Sixteen String Jack', he was known for the 16 various coloured strings he wore on the knees of his silk breeches among other eccentric costumes. Just before he was hanged he appearing in a specially made pea-green suit adorned by a large nosegay, he enjoyed cheerful banter with both the hangman and the crowd, then danced a jig, before being publicly executed at Tyburn at the age of 24.
Interesting how fond we are of the loveable rogue.
Once again, thanks to your video, I've just watched a Corries vid immediately afterwards! They were nailing it when I was a boy in Fife. They even played at my school in Dalgety Bay. Their music defined my identity. Neh keech!
Glad to help!
If you like corries you will like The Curries , Ricky Fulton and Gregor Fisher , hilarious !
@@charlestaylor8566 Titans!
Wonderful story, well done. Keep up the good work, laddie.
Macpherson rant one of my favourite songs
As was once very commonly said here in the American Midwest during the Great Depression, "Those with the gold make the rules." Aye, it's power, raw power that always corrupts justice.
True
With the popularity of Outlander, i believe a movie about MacPherson would be great!
Ah, the story behind my favorite song (well, one of 'em) from Old Blind Dogs! Thanks for the story.
I like your historic tales.
I love this guy, as a wee lad from Kirkwall, moved to Australia I never learned anything about my home country but with this nice guy I can finally learn about good ol’ Scotland, but could you make a video on William Wallace please?, I’m one of his descendants, thanks Sir
Did one of your boys down under no do that already?😜😜
@@ScotlandHistoryTours ur 2 funny.
Thanks Bruce, for many years I've enjoyed the Corrie's singing the song without knowing the background. Informative and enjoyable as always.
Brilliant
So much for, "they lived happily ever after!!"
Wow! 🥺
My 5x Grandfather was Paul McPherson b.1734. Was from Banffshire.
Another great story, Bruce. The song is one of my favorites. You finished at 8.32. You could have played it!
No, there’s such a thing as copyright
@@ScotlandHistoryTours If you fancy doing this in the future, just look for a performing artist who covered it and licenses their recording under what's called Creative Commons - this grants you the rights to use and redistribute it, provided appropriate credit is given and that you agree the same license applies to what you've published it in.
The composition rights have of course long since expired, so it's only the performance rights you've to worry about.
A quick search on my end turned up www.scotssangsfurschools.com/mcpherson-s-rant - which as the name implies is a resource that explicitly allows the use of it's content for educational purposes, with performances curated (and largely performed by) the creator, Ewan McVicar.
Great educator🙏👏👏💚
Loved this one. Grew up on the Clancy Brothers singing a song about it. It was great to get the whole story.👍
Excellent video, Bruce, as usual. I really must get along to my Clan Museum in Newtonmore for a look-see. It has recently been renovated, too.
You should!
I had heard the story of the clock tower only a few days ago. I knew the clock had been moved forward to beat the pardon arriving but did not know the story of the lad hung early by that act. thank you for filling these gaps for me. I believe the clock face to Banff has never been replaced to this day.
Aye, so the story goes
Sae rantingly, sae dauntingly....... My neighbours are hating my uke right now.
Great story.
Thank you!
I was told that when the clocks in Doune Church in Macduff;which sits on a hill looking over the bay to Banff were installed. The clock tower was designed to have four clocks but the fourth clockface is blank as it faces west towards Banff where the inhabitants can't tell the time. It is a constant reminder by the Duffers towards the Banffies about the execution of Macpherson.
Wait, no Scot argued that they couldn’t hang his Scottish half?
That was more than a little heartbreaking. 😞
I know eh
Like history enjoying the videos from a Yorkshire man
I am a Curry. The English bastardized my last name which originates from the MacMuirich, meaning son of Murdoch, which is a family within the MacPherson clan. I love hearing the stories of my ancestors told and learning about the family I come from.
Brilliant, I always thought the clock went to Fraserburgh not Dufftown, but obviously not. Great narration.
One of the first tunes I learned to play on the bagpipe.
I knew some of the story from the lyrics, but never the whole story.
Thanks for the video
You're welcome
Wow! His father was seriously progressive for the time, society not so. Brilliant 👏 historical tale.
Aye
Said no other hands shall play on thee
When I am dead and gone
Bruce, you missed a bit. Yes, the clock was from Banff and sold to dufftown where it stays, but because of setting the clock forward, when the church in Macduff was built and it's clock was installed, the side of the clock tower that faces towards Banff does not have a clock on it so that Banff would never know the time. Great video and lovely to see Banff on screen.
I know, but there was an additional complicating storyline... and more driving😁
@@ScotlandHistoryTours my mum lives next door to the church, you'd have got your tea there!
I guess us musically inclined McPhersons still sing a song in our hearts for all those who have been betrayed in one form or another, just remember , touch the cat, spare the glove................................
Touch not the cat but a glove
Love the way you describe History of the Clan your very well read Bruce ! Could you do one on the GRANT Clan please
I don't do clan histories, so much as stories, that sometimes can involved clans. I do have in mind to make a video that involves Clan Grant which should be out mid July. I intend to film it on 10th July
@@ScotlandHistoryTours Your the Man ! ps You must of been a handsome kid to be named Bruce hahaha All the Best Buddy
It use to bother me in the song his hands are tied and yet he plays the fiddle. Great story telling and I was in Banff when I was just 20 and heard this story.
Your video's Bruce are fantastic. I have known the story of Jamie since school, and know that I am a musician the story is very close to my heart. I was also told the word Gyspy derived from people who came from Egypt. I have never found any verification of this. Keep them coming Bruce and making this wee auld man happy.
Yes, the court records say he was convicted of being an Egyptian. I just translated for a modern ear
Mistakenly people of the time taught they were from Egyptian origin
Another great telling. This guy is a veritable seanchaidh (hope I spelled that right)!
😂
A Gypsy Rover came over the hill and into the valley so shady. He whistled and he sang ‘til the Greenwood’s rang
And he won the heart of a lady?
Which song is this?
I cannot remember it and where is it from?
Is this about Jamie Mcpherson?
One of my favorite songs by The Corries. They tell a bit of the story on one album. I first heard Liam Clancy sing it. It finally came up in a search of your videos after about 10 searches
gaberlunzie do a better rendition kirk
@@andrewccochrane8052 I like them too but the Corries is my favorite version.
Love your Glaswegian accent. I lived in Scotland for 6 years. Most accepting people. Most accepting culture. The story as Burns put it was that the the reprieve was coming the brig o' banff. So the clock was set at 1/4 to 4. Supposedly, to this day, the clock in the main square is still 15 mins ahead. Yeah, Scots have the best history.
Piss off! I don't have a Glaswegian accent, I'm from Perth
I was just talking to my Dad about this story the other day, though neither of us had all the details - serendipity
Here for you😊😎
great videos.
Thanks!
@@ScotlandHistoryTours Found your videos yesterday and enjoying working my way through them. Alastair, a Glaswegian in Spain.
Sentenced to die for the crime of being a gypsy... Well, that just adds to the mystique. As an American fiddler who plays Scottish fiddle, of course I perform the song and tune MacPherson's Rant. I have to be careful or my introduction to the song can end up longer than the song itself. This just adds another layer. One of these days I should read a book on the subject. Tnx for clarifying some things about James MacPherson, and increasing the richness of my understanding.
You're welcome
The gypsy girl mentioned was a Stewart off the scots travellers from the highlands . There was also a story about McPherson and duff of braco who both fancied the same woman ,a lady Grant from aberlour . Don't know of any outcome of that one . However braco was said to have had a face like a ferrett .could have been another reason why braco disliked m c person .
I thought this myself. He was unrivaled in prowess stature and strength of none to which witnesses on seeing the skeleton testified to the the strength of his bones. This prowess, looks, musical ability and kindness must have been a real threat to Braco unfortunately getting rid of Mcpherson might not change his luck in fact quite the opposite l will face to look that up.
The "crime" of being a gypsy, wow! You can see where the stupid came from to make the KKK in America now. Yes, I know all about that branch of the Masonic Brotherhood, a dark shame of Scottish Free Masonry. As I was raised in England I was denied much of my heritage and that's a shame, but I'm learning it now, thanks to you Bruce and others. (I do know the story of the Faerie flag of Macleod). slainte mhath
Hi Mark, Do you know where l can find any information on that branch of the Scottish masons?
Absolutely love your vids Bruce don't know if you've made one about the mythical character sawnee bean the cannibal of ballantrae such a great story should have been made into a movie.is it true who knows but you could bring it to life
I havnae done him yet
Hi Bruce
Finally a story that I knew a bit of, the bit about the clock being put forward 15 mins definitely rings a bell... what a shitty thing to do indeed.
p.s. shame you were first on and off quickly on Saturday, too quick for me to get you that drink. Next time.... ( still loving the bit about being the leading light on the Afro-Celtic comedy circuit though... :-) )
I had to head north so I would be there to do this the next day 😆
Glè mhath! A good but sad story.
Indeed😥