| |
| WHEN Katie was scarce out nineteen, | |
| O, but she had twa coal-black een; | |
| A bonnier lass ye wadna seen, | |
| In a’ the Carse o’ Gowrie. | |
| Quite tired o’ livin’ a’ his lane, | 5 |
| Pate did to her his love explain, | |
| And swore he ’d be, were she his ain, | |
| The happiest lad in Gowrie. | |
| |
| Quo’ she, “I winna marry thee | |
| For a’ the gear that ye can gi’e, | 10 |
| Nor will I gang a step ajee, | |
| For a’ the gowd in Gowrie. | |
| My father will gi’e me twa kye; | |
| My mother’s gaun some yarn to dye; | |
| I ’ll get a gown just like the sky, | 15 |
| Gif I ’ll no gang to Gowrie.” | |
| |
| “O my dear Katie, say na sae; | |
| Ye little ken a heart that ’s wae; | |
| Hae! there ’s my hand; hear me, I pray, | |
| Sin’ thou ’ll no gang to Gowrie. | 20 |
| Since first I met thee at the sheil, | |
| My saul to thee ’s been true and leal; | |
| The darkest night I fear nae deil, | |
| Warlock, or witch in Gowrie. | |
| |
| “I fear nae want o’ claes, nor nocht; | 25 |
| Sic silly things my mind ne’er taught. | |
| I dream a’ nicht, and start about, | |
| And wish for thee in Gowrie. | |
| I lo’e thee better, Kate, my dear, | |
| Than a’ my riggs and out-gaun gear; | 30 |
| Sit down by me till ance I swear, | |
| Thou ’rt worth the Carse o’ Gowrie.” | |
| |
| Syne on her mouth sweet kisses laid, | |
| Till blushes a’ her cheeks o’erspread; | |
| She sighed, and in soft whispers said, | 35 |
| “O Pate, tak’ me to Gowrie!” | |
| Quo’ he, “Let ’s to the auld fouk gang; | |
| Say what they like, I ’ll bide their bang, | |
| And bide a’ nicht, though beds be thrang, | |
| But I ’ll ha’e thee to Gowrie.” | 40 |
| |
| The auld fouk syne baith gied consent: | |
| The priest was ca’d: a’ were content; | |
| And Katie never did repent | |
| That she gaed hame to Gowrie. | |
| For routh o’ bonnie bairns had she; | 45 |
| Mair strappin’ lads ye wadna see; | |
| And her braw lasses bore the gree | |
| Frae a’ the rest o’ Gowrie. | |
| |
