For a' that and a' that (1818)/Kate O' Gowrie

by William Reid

For other versions of this work, see Kate o' Gowrie.

KATE O' GOWRIE

Tune—Dainty Davie.

When Kate 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 tir'd o' livin' a' his lane,
Pate to her did his love explain,
An' 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,
Nor will I gang ne step a-jee,
For a' the gowd of Gowrie.
My father will gie me twa kye,
My mither's some varn gaun to dye,
I'll get a gown just like the sky,
Gif I'll no gang to Gowrie.

O my dear Katie say nae 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.
Since first I met thee at the shiel,
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 of claise nor nought,
Sic silly things my mind ne'er taught;
I dream a' night, and start about,
An' wish for thee in Gowrie.
I lo'e thee better, Kate, my dear,
Than a' my rigs, and out-gaun gear;
Sit down by me, till ance I swear,
Thou'rt worth the Carse of Gowrie.

Syne on her mouth sweet kisses laid,
Till blushes a' her cheeks o'er-spread;
She sigh'd and in saft whispers said,
O Pate tak me to Gowrie.
Quo' he, lets to the auld folk gang,
Say what they like I'll bide their bang,
And bide a' night though beds be thrang,
But I'll hae thee to Gowrie.

The auld folk syne baith gied consent,
The priest was ca'd, a' were content;
And Katie never did repent,
That she gaed hame to Gowrie.
For rowth o' bonny bairns had she,
Mair strappin' lads ye wadna see,
And her braw lasses bare the gree,
Frae all the rest of Gowrie.

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