Ca' The Yowes
Shirley & Dolly Collins Lyrics


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Call the ewes to the knowes,
Call them where the heather grows,
Call them where the burnie rowes,
My bonny dearie

As I went down the water-side,
′Twas there I met my shepherd lad;
He rolled me sweetly in his plaid,
And called me I his dearie.

Will ye come down the water-side,
To see the fishes sweetly glide
Beneath the hazels spreading wide,
And the moon that shines full clearly.

If you'll but stand to what you′ve said,
I'll come with you, my bonny lad,
And you may roll me in your plaid,
And I shall be your dearie.

You shall get gowns and ribbons meet,
And leather shoen upon your feet,
And in my arms you'll lie and sleep,
My bonny dearie.

While waters wimple to the sea,
While day breaks in the sky so high,




Till clay-cold death shall blind my eye,
Ye I shall be my dearie.

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Shirley & Dolly Collins's song Ca' The Yowes is an invitation to summon the ewes to the knowes (hills), where the heather grows and the burnie rowes (streams flow). It is unclear who is asking or to whom the invitation is directed. However, the repetition of "my bonny dearie" in each verse suggests a romantic or affectionate relationship between the two individuals, who may be young lovers.


The second and third verses describe a meeting between the singer and her "shepherd lad" by the water-side. He "rolled [her] sweetly in his plaid" (tartan blanket) and called her his "dearie." The shepherd lad then invites the singer to come with him to see the fishes glide below the hazels and the moon that shines full and clear. The singer agrees to come with him as long as he keeps his promise to treat her as his "dearie" and roll her in his plaid.


In the final two verses, the shepherd lad promises the singer with gowns, ribbons, and leather shoes upon her feet. He also tells her that she will lie and sleep in his arms. The song ends with the declaration of the shepherd lad that the singer will be his "dearie" until "clay-cold death shall blind [his] eye." Ca' The Yowes is a beautiful Scottish love song that expresses the simplicity and sincerity of love.


Line by Line Meaning

Call the ewes to the knowes,
Summon the female sheep to the hills,


Call them where the heather grows,
Call them to the place where the purple flowers grow,


Call them where the burnie rowes,
Call them where the water flows,


My bonny dearie
My beautiful love


As I went down the water-side,
As I was walking by the water,


′Twas there I met my shepherd lad;
That's where I met my shepherd boy;


He rolled me sweetly in his plaid,
He wrapped me up tenderly in his blanket,


And called me I his dearie.
And said I was his dearie.


Will ye come down the water-side,
Would you like to come down to the riverbank


To see the fishes sweetly glide
To watch the fish swimming gracefully,


Beneath the hazels spreading wide,
Under the spreading hazel trees,


And the moon that shines full clearly.
And the bright full moon lighting the way.


If you'll but stand to what you′ve said,
If you keep your promise,


I'll come with you, my bonny lad,
I'll go with you, my handsome lad,


And you may roll me in your plaid,
And you can wrap me in your blanket,


And I shall be your dearie.
And I'll be your sweetheart.


You shall get gowns and ribbons meet,
You shall have dresses and pretty ribbons,


And leather shoen upon your feet,
And shoes made of leather on your feet,


And in my arms you'll lie and sleep,
And you'll sleep in my arms,


My bonny dearie.
My sweet, lovely love.


While waters wimple to the sea,
As long as rivers flow to the sea,


While day breaks in the sky so high,
When the sun rises in the sky,


Till clay-cold death shall blind my eye,
Until I die,


Ye I shall be my dearie.
You will still, always be my dearie.




Writer(s): R. Burns, M. Jacobson

Contributed by James R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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