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Ca' the Ewes to The Knowes
CA' THE YOWES TAE THE KNOWES


Ca' the ewes tae the knowes
Ca' them where the heather grows
Ca' them where the burnie rowes
My bonnie dearie




Hark a mavis evening song
Soundin' Cluden's woods amang
Then a foldin' let us gang
My bonnie dearie




We'll gae doon by Cludenside
Through the hazels spreading wide
All the ways that sweetly glide
To the moon sae clearly




Doon the Cluden silent hours
All in moonshine midnight hours
All the dewy buddin' flowers
The fairies dance so cheery




Ghaist nor boggle shall thou fear
Thou art to love Heaven so dear
Naught of ill shall come you near
My bonnie dearie




Fair and lovely as thou art
Thou hast stolen my very heart
I can die but canna part
Wi' my bonnie dearie










Andy M. Stewart





Also Sometimes these verses



                                              3. 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.
                                                Chorus:

                                                4. 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.
                                                Chorus:

                                                5. 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.

                                             Chorus:



CA' THE YOWES TAE THE KNOWES, MOLLY AND ME



Good morning to you, fair maid, you're tending your flock
What brings you so early unto this green spot?
My faither's in the fields and he's waiting for me
To ca the yowes tae the knowes, Molly and me

My faither's a shepherd, herds sheep on yon hill
If you get his sanction, I'll be at your will
And if he does grant it, right glad I will be
To ca the yowes tae the knowes, Molly and me

Good morning to you, old man, you're counting your flock
Could you spare me a ewe-lamb for to keep up my stock
And grass for to feed it on yonder green lea
Ca the yowes tae the knowes, Molly and me

Gang doon tae yon burnside and choose your ain lamb
You can get it as easy as any man can
And grass for to feed it on yonder green lea
Ca the yowes tae the knowes, Molly and me

Tommy stepped forward, caught Molly by the hand
And right before her auld faither the couple did stand
Saying, This is the ewe-lamb that I asked from thee
Ca the yowes tae the knowes, Molly and me

Oh Tommy, oh Tommy, it's you've me beguiled
It's little did I think that you meant my own child
But since I have said it say, well then, let it be
Ca the yowes tae the knowes, Molly and me

A peck of gold thou shalt have, it will sleek with my one
And if that won't so then I'll heap with my hand
And yon fleecy flocks a' that feed on yon lea
I will sign them all over to Molly and thee

This song has been recorded by many artists.   
Some known versions were done by:

 Andy M. Stewart
Tannahill Weavers
Moira Kerr
Steeleye Span
Ian Bruce
The Corries
Shirley Collins
Sileas
Kim Robertson
The Birkin Tree
Dougie MacLean


   The poet says of this song in a letter to Thomson*:
     "I am flattered at your adopting the 'Ca' The Yowes To The Knowes', as it was owing to me that
   it ever saw the light. When I gave it to Johnson*, I added some stanzas to the song and mended
   others; but still it will not do for you.  In a solitary stroll which I took today, I tried my hands on a
   few pastoral lines following up the ideas of the chorus, which I would preserve. Here it is, with all
   its crudities and imperfections on its head."

   Mr Thomson, in reply, calls the song "a precious merceau" and adds:
      "I am perfectly astonished and charmed with the endless variety of your fancy."
   (From "Scottish Songs Illustrated," pub. 1890, Adam and Gee, middle Street, West Smithfield,
   London)
   * George Thomson and James Johnson -- Burns' editors)  





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