Ca’ the Yowes - Isobel Pagan

Ca’ the yowes to the knowes,
Ca’ them whare the heather grows,
Ca’ them whare the burnie rows,
    My bonnie dearie.

As I gaed doun the water side,
There I met my shepherd lad,
He row'd me sweetly in his plaid,
    And he ca’d me his dearie.

‘Will ye gang doun the water side,
And see the waves sae sweetly glide
Beneath the hazels spreading wide,
    The moon it shines fu’ clearly.’

I was bred up at nae sic school,
My shepherd lad, to play the fool;
And a’ the day to sit in dool,
    And naebody to see me.

‘Ye sall get gowns and ribbons meet,
Cauf-leather shoon upon your feet,
And in my arms ye’se lie and sleep,
    And ye sall be my dearie.’

‘If ye’ll but stand to what ye’ve said,
I’se gang wi’ you, my shepherd lad;
And ye may row me in your plaid,
    And I sall be your dearie.’

‘While waters wimple to the sea,
While day blinks in the lift sae hie;
Till clay-cauld death sall blin’ my e’e
    Ye aye shall be my dearie.’

---

Isobel Pagan (1741 – 1821) Scotland
ca' - call
yowes - ewes
knowes - knolls
burnie - stream
row'd - rolled
plaid - blanket
sic - such
dool - a place of safety (in a game)
wimple - meander
lift - sky