John Cunningham: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Kate of Aberdeen

John Cunningham

“Kate of Aberdeen” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

John Cunningham: Collected Lyrics Text 1 1843 · historical text
Public domainScottish songFolk
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from The Book of Scottish Song, edited by Alexander Whitelaw, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

The silver moon's enamour'd beam

Steals softly through the night,

To wanton with the winding stream,

And kiss reflected light.

To beds of state go, balmy sleep,

('Tis where you've seldom been,)

May's vigils while the shepherds keep

With Kate of Aberdeen.

Upon the green the virgins wait,

In rosy chaplets gay,

Till morn unbar her golden gate,

And give the promised May.

Methinks I hear the maids declare,

The promised May, when seen,

Not half so fragrant or so fair

As Kate of Aberdeen.

Strike up the tabor's boldest notes,

We'll rouse the nodding grove;

The nested birds shall raise their throats,

And hail the maid I love:

And see the matin lark mistakes,

He quits the tufted green;

Fond bird! 'tis not the morning breaks—

'Tis Kate of Aberdeen.

Now lightsome o'er the level mead,

Where midnight fairies rove,

Like them the jocund dance we'll lead,

Or tune the reed to love:

For see the rosy May draws nigh,

She claims a virgin queen;

And hark, the happy shepherd's cry,

'Tis Kate of Aberdeen.

Credits

Written by John Cunningham

Words by John Cunningham. Historical text published in The Book of Scottish Song (1843); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

The Book of Scottish Song (1843), edited by Alexander Whitelaw, “Kate of Aberdeen”

Every contribution in this 1843 anthology predates modern copyright terms by more than a century; any contributor died at least 130 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide (life+70 terms expired no later than 2020).

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-12. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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