CA' THE YOWES

Click here to listen: https://soundcloud.com/words-of-burns/ca-the-yowes-v2

Robert Burns collected and worked on the original version of this Scots song. However, on reflection later, he wasn’t satisfied with his first attempt with this title and chorus so he set about a major revision to the verses. Today, both versions are popularly heard as songs set to the same beautiful tune.

“Ca' the yowes to the knowes, Ca' them where the heather grows, Ca' them where the burnie rowes, My bonie Dearie. Hark the mavis' e'ening sang, Sounding Clouden's woods amang; Then a-faulding let us gang, My bonie Dearie. We'll gae down by Clouden side, Thro' the hazels, spreading wide, O'er the waves that sweetly glide, To the moon sae clearly. Yonder Clouden's silent towers, Where, at moonshine's midnight hours, O'er the dewy-bending flowers, Fairies dance sae cheery. Ghaist nor bogle shalt thou fear, Thou'rt to Love and Heav'n sae dear, Nocht of ill may come thee near; My bonie Dearie. Fair and lovely as thou art, Thou hast stown my very heart; I can die - but canna part, My bonie Dearie.

Ca' the yowes to the knowes, Ca' them where the heather grows, Ca' them where the burnie rowes, My bonie Dearie.”

https://soundcloud.com/words-of-burns/ca-the-yowes-v2