The Katey of Lochgoil

One of the traditional songs that was never recorded for the Downriver CD, there's echoes of the nonsensical lyrics of The Irish Rover there. Ripe for reinterpretation...

Twas in the year  eleventy-nine

And March the fortieth day

T’at ta Katey of Lochgoil my boys

To sea she’ll pore away

CHORUS

Wi ma fal lal  de dall

Fal  lal de dall de day

Noo Katey she’s as fine a ship

As ever yet was rig

And when she’ll cot her mainsail up-

Cot! You’ll took her for a prig

CHORUS

T’ere was Tonal’ Mhor and Tugal’ Mhor

Shon Tamson and Shon Roy

And all oor whole ship’s company

Was two ladies and a poy

CHORUS

As we gaed py ta Toward Light

She’ll plew a won’rous plast

Says  Tugal’ Mhor to Tonal’ Mhor-

“She’ll think she’s pest pelow”

CHORUS

As we steer roon’ ta Ailsa Craig

She’ll plew a won’rous gale;

Says Tugal’ Mhor to Tonal’ Mhor-

“Put ship and turn her tail”

CHORUS

Ta captain being kind to us

Put on ta muckle pot

Wi’ scatyuns for to poil for us-

Put de’il  a ane we’ll cot

CHORUS

T’ere was Tonal’ Mhor and Tugal’ Mhor

Shon Tamson and his mate

Was puttin’ his hizzen’s son ashore

For breaking a scatyun plate

CHORUS

Ta signal t’at oor Katey had

Was Tonal’s ponnet plew;

Ta skipper being oot on shore

It’s he ta signal knew

CHORUS

Noo Katey she is hame again

And safe a Greenock quay

And when she goes to sea again

She can took new hands for me

CHORUS