US & Canada Versions: 112-A Katie Morey
[Currently, some of the Appendix pages are incomplete - I will complete next review]
[Below is a list of the titles of the most important traditional versions (click on left hand column to view). Missing is the broadside circa 1830; Katy Mory.
There are some later versions listed below. Doc Watson's version (bottom of this page) probably was learned from a recording but I'm not sure of his source- his version may be traditional. Don't have the recording.]
CONTENTS:
Katie Mora- Douglass (NY) c.1841-1856 Thompson
Katie Maury- Hatfield (PA) 1857 Shoemaker
Shrewd Maiden- Mace (OH) pre1939 Eddy
Katie Dorey- Jackson (KY) 1941 Lomax
Katey Morey- Edwards (NY) Cazden
Katie Morey- Stockton (TN) 1916 Sharp A
Katty Morey- Roberts (NC) 1941 Moser REC
Katie Morey- House (NC) 1916 Sharp B
Kitty O'Noory- Madison (MI) 1935 Gardner
Kitty Morey- Bundy (WI) 1946 REC
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Additional versions below:
Katie Morey- Roger McGuinn
Bob Gibson sang this on his “Folk Songs of Ohio” album in the early 1950s. It’s funny because it points out the age old adage that a man will chase a woman until she catches him. Men think they have it all under control and are always amazed to find that they have invariably been outwitted by clever, creative women. But hey, what a way to go!
Lyrics:
A] Come all you young and [E] foolish lads who [A] listen to my [E] story
I’ll [A] tell you how I [E] fixed a plan to [B7] fool miss Katie [E] Morey
Come-a-two-dit-a-rye-do-two-dit-a-ray come-a-two-dit-a-ry e-do-[C#m] dandy
[E] I’ll tell you how I [A] fixed a plan to [B7] fool miss Katie [E] Morey
I told her that my sister Sue was in yon lofty tower
And wanted her to come that way to spend a pleasant hour
But when I got her to the top, say nothing is the matter
But you must cry or else comply, there is no time to flatter
Come-a-two-dit-a-rye-do-two-dit-a-ray come-a-two-dit-a-rye-do-dandy
I’ll tell you how I fixed a plan to fool miss Katie Morey
She squeezed my hand and seemed quite pleased
Saying “I have got no fear sir, but father he has come this way
He may see us here sir. If you’ll but go and climb that tree
Till he has passed this way sir, we may gather our grapes and plumbs
We will sport and play sir.”
Come-a-two-dit-a-rye-do-two-dit-a-ray come-a-two-dit-a-rye-do-dandy
I’ll tell you how I fixed a plan to fool miss Katie Morey
I went straight way and climbed the tree not being the least offended
My true love came and stood beneath to see how I ascended
But when she got me to the top she looked up with a smile sir
Saying “you may gather your grapes and plumbs
I’ll run quickly home sir.”
Come-a-two-dit-a-rye-do-two-dit-a-ray come-a-two-dit-a-rye-do-dandy
I’ll tell you how I fixed a plan to fool miss Katie Morey
I straight way did descend the tree coming with a bound sir
My true love got quite out of sight before I reached the ground sir
But when the fox hide did relent to see what I’d intended
I straight way made a wife of her, all my troubles ended
Come-a-two-dit-a-rye-do-two-dit-a-ray come-a-two-dit-a-rye-do-dandy
I’ll tell you how I fixed a plan to fool miss Katie Morey
Time to stop this foolish song, time to stop this rhyming
Every time the baby cries, I wish that I was climbing
Come-a-two-dit-a-rye-do-two-dit-a-ray come-a-two-dit-a-rye-do-dandy
I’ll tell you how I fixed a plan to fool miss Katie Morey
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KATIE MOREY- This version sung by Peggy Seeger tune and text (except for verse 3 from Bronson No 39) from the singing of T. Jeff Stockton, Hogskin Creek Flag Pond, TN.; printed in Bronson Vol. II
1 Come young, come old, come all draw nigh
Come listen to my story,
I'll tell you what a plan I formed
To spile Miss Katie Morey,
My too I ree I o-o-o,
My too I ree I 0.
2 I went to her father's house
Just like a clever fellow,
I told her that the plums and grapes were ripe,
Yes they were fine and mellow,
3 But when I got her to the spot,
Saying, 'Nothing is the matter,
But you must die or else comply,
There is no time to flatter,'
4 She says, 'My dear, my dearest dear,
There's something else to betray us,
My father dear is on his way,
And he'll be sure to see us.'
5 But if the highest tree it's you could climb,
Till he gets out of sight, sir,
It's then we'll go to yonders grove
And spend one happy hour.
6 The tree was rough, he climbed so tough,
And on the top he stopped, sir.
And every jerk he tore his shirt,
And on the top he stopped, sir.
7 As she went trippling over the plain,
She looked so neat and active,
And there he sat in the top of the tree,
Almost raving distracted.
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KATIE MOREY- Doc Watson on his album "Home Again!", Vanguard LP VSD-79239, 1967 learned from his mother; reissued as a CD 1996. Here is an excerpt transcribed from a couple of sound samples (see complete lyrics below):
I told her that her sister Nan
That lived in yanders holler,
Had sent for her to come down there
And stay one half an hour.
CHORUS: Teer da loddle lank thee I A, I O.
As we was a-walkin' through the fields,
She squeezed my hand with fear, sir.
Said, "Mama, she has come this way,
And she catch us here, sir!
"If you will climb up yanders tree
And see if she is near, sir,
Then we'll go to that pretty grove,
And court and sport an hour."
--- Katie Morey (apparently Doc's lrics)
banjo break
Come all you fellers from far and near
And listen to my story
I’ll tell you about the plans I made
to go Miss Katie Morey
Teer da loddle lank thee I A, A I O
I went to Miss Katie’s house
Just like some clever feller
And told her that the plums and the grapes
Was a’gettin’ ripe and meller
Teer da loddle lank thee I A, A I O
I told her that her sister Nan
That lived in yanders holler,
Had sent for her to come down there
And stay one half an hour.
Teer da loddle lank thee I A, I O.
banjo break
As we was a-walkin’ through the fields,
She squeezed my hand with fear, sir.
Said, “Mama, she has come this way,
And she catch us here, sir!
Teer da loddle lank thee I A, I O.
“If you will climb up yanders tree
And see if she is near, sir,
Then we’ll go to that pretty grove,
And court and sport an hour
Teer da loddle lank thee I A, I O.
banjo break
Oh how he heaved to climb that tree
Til’ he was nearly winded
Miss Katie stood and watched and smiled and
To see how high he ascended
Teer da loddle lank thee I A, I O.
His heart was a- thumpin’ in his breast
The tree was gently swayin’
As he looked down Miss Katie smiled
And he heared what she was sayin’
Teer da loddle lank thee I A, I O.
Your ugly looks I do despise
You look just like and owl, sir
You scratch down like you scratched up
Or I’m a goin’ back to the house, sir
Teer da loddle lank thee I A, I O.
---------------------
[Flanders Ancient Ballads]
B. KATIE MOREY [This version by Fish seems like a ballad recreation]
Sung at Springfield, Vermont, by Mrs. Lena Bourne Fish of East Jaffrey, New Hampshire. Mrs. Fish says: "This is an old song of Ireland,'The Defeated Knight." H. H. F., Collector; November 16, 1940
The Defeated Knight
Come all young maids and knights so bold,
And listen to my story.
I'll tell you how I vilely planned
To ruin poor Katey Morey.
That knights are brave and knights are bold
Is told in song and story,
But I did surely meet defeat
When I met Katey Morey.
I went unto her father's house
Jest like a clever fellow.
I told her that the plums were ripe
And they were sweet and mellow.
That knights are brave and knights are bold
Its told in song and story,
But I did surely meet defeat
When I met Katey Morey.
As we did walk across the moor,
A demon in his fury
Brought to my mind the beastly Plot
To ruin Katey Morey.
That knights are brave and knights are bold
Is told in song and story,
But I did surely meet defeat
When I met Katey Morey.
As we stood 'neath the old plum tree
I told her my intention,
For the devil is sharp and also shy
To act out his invention.
That knights are brave and knights are bold
Is told in song and story,
But I did surely meet defeat
When I met Katey Morey.
I told her I had her in my power,
And as no one knew the matter
She must comply, or else must die,
For I had no time to flatter.
That knights are brave and knights are bold
Is told in song and story,
But I did surely meet defeat
When I met Katey Morey.
Why, Katey then looking over the hills
Said, "Here comes my irate dad, sir,
So you best climb to the top of a tree
If vou your life would spare, sir."
That knights are brave and knights are bold
ls told in song and story,
But I did surely meet defeat
When I met Katey Morey.