Perthshire in bygone days

WILLIAM BEID. 521
KATE 0' G OWE IE.
Tune — " Locherroch-side."
When Katie was scarce out nineteen,
Oh, 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,
Pate did to her his love explain,
And swore he 'd be, were she his ain,
The happiest lad m Gowrie.
Quo she, "I winna marry thee
For a' the gear that ye can gi'e ;
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,
Gif I'll no gang to Gowrie."
" Oh, my dear Katie, say nae sae !
Ye little ken a heart that's wae ;
Hae I there's my hand ; hear me, I pray,
Sin' thou 'It 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 de'il,
Warlock, or witch in Gowrie,
"I fear nae want o' claes nor nocht, —
Such silly things my mind ne'er taught ; —
I dream a' night, and start about,
And 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 'it worth the Carse o' Gowrie."
Syne on her mou' sweet kisses laid,
Till blushes a' her cheeks o'erspread ;
She sighed, and in soft whispers said,
" Oh, Pate, tak' me to Gowrie ! "
Quo' he, " Let's to the auld folk gang, —
Say what they like, I'll bide their bang, —
And stay a' night, though beds be thrang ;
But I'll hae thee to Gowrie."
The auld folks 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 ;
Mair strappin' lads ye wadna see ;
And her braw lasses bore the gree
Frae a' the rest o' Gowrie.