A Portrait of Robert Burns Robert Burns

1789 · Song

Ca’ the Yowes to the Knowes


Chorus

Ca’ the yowes to the knowes,Ca’ them where the heather grows,Ca’ them where the burnie rowes,My bonie dearie4
As I gaed down the water-side,There I met my shepherd lad:He row’d me sweetly in his plaid,And he ca’d me his dearie.8

Chorus

Ca’ the yowes to the knowes,Ca’ them where the heather grows,Ca’ them where the burnie rowes,My bonie dearie12
Will ye gang down the water-side,And see the waves sae sweetly glideBeneath the hazels spreading wide,The moon it shines fu’ clearly.16

Chorus

Ca’ the yowes to the knowes,Ca’ them where the heather grows,Ca’ them where the burnie rowes,My bonie dearie20
Ye sall get gowns and ribbons meet,Cauf-leather shoon upon your feet,And in my arms ye’se lie and sleep,An’ ye sall be my dearie.24

Chorus

Ca’ the yowes to the knowes,Ca’ them where the heather grows,Ca’ them where the burnie rowes,My bonie dearie28
If ye’ll but stand to what ye’ve said,I’se gang wi’ thee, my shepherd lad,And ye may row me in your plaid,And I sall be your dearie.32

Chorus

Ca’ the yowes to the knowes,Ca’ them where the heather grows,Ca’ them where the burnie rowes,My bonie dearie36
While waters wimple to the sea,While day blinks in the lift sae hie,Till clay-cauld death sall blin’ my e’e,Ye sall be my dearie.40

Chorus

Ca’ the yowes to the knowes,Ca’ them where the heather grows,Ca’ them where the burnie rowes,My bonie dearie44
Year
1789
Form
Song
Location
Ellisland
Source
Project Gutenberg #1279 — Poems and Songs of Robert Burns