Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Katy

Robert Burns

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

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 53 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

Canst thou leave me thus, my Katy?

Canst thou leave me thus, my Katy?

Well though know'st my aching heart,

And canst thou leave me thus for pity?

Is this thy plighted fond regard,

Thus cruelly to part, my Katy?

Is this thy faithful swain's reward—

An aching, broken heart, my Katy?

Farewell! and ne'er such sorrows tear

That fickle heart of thine, my Katy?

Thou may'st find those will love thee dear—

But not a love like mine, my Katy.

Verse 2

Stay, my Willie—yet believe me,

Stay, my Willie—yet believe me;

'Tweel, thou know'st na every pang

Wad wring my bosom shouldat thou leave me.

Tell me that thou yet art true,

And a' my wrongs shall be forgiven;

And when this heart proves false to thee,

Yon sun shall cease his course in heaven.

But to think I was betray'd,

That falsehood e'er our loves should sunder!

To take the flow'ret to my breast,

And find the guilefu' serpent under!

Could I hope thou'dst ne'er deceive me,

Celestial pleasures, might I choose 'em,

I'd slight, nor seek in other spheres

That heaven I'd find withiu thy bosom.

Credits

Written by Robert Burns

Words by Robert Burns. 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, “Katy”

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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