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lyrics

Catherine Douglas and the legend of Kate Barlass

Verse 1
Catherine Douglas was a bonnie lass
True tae her ain’ Scottish Laird
She wad gladly gein her life that day
For that lass she wis’na fear’d

Verse 2
Skulkin’ in the street outside the hoose
Where the King and Queen did sleep
Robert Graham was wi’ his murderers
Treacherous vigil they did keep

Verse 3
Then they made their move their cowardly move
On their poor defenceless King
Robert Stewart had taken out the bolt
T’let the sleekit band move in

Refrain 1
Servants cried all is lost
There’s madmen at the door
Catherine up and barred it wi’ her erm
T’let the King flee ‘neath the floor

Verse 4
But these brutes they had but scant regard
For the safety of the maid
They broke doon the door and smashed her erm
Like it was a loaf o’ bread

Verse 5
They searched but couldn’y find the King
So they thought he wis ‘ny there
But they a’ got telt on their way oot
He is doon beneath the flair

Refrain 2
King James didn’y stand a chance
His foes were dressed tae kill
Though he fought them wi’ ee's wrestlin’ skill
Their knives were better still

Verse 6
Catherine changed her name tae Kate Barlass
She did change it on that day
She would become pert o’ Scots folklore
For courage she did hae

credits

from A Brief History of Scotland In Song, released April 17, 2015

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eddie cairney Scotland, UK

Eddie Cairney is one of the country's most prolific songwriters and Scotland's best kept songwriting secret with 99 albums to date and another 100 plus in the pipeline. He has written new music to almost all of Robert Burns works totalling over 900 new songs. He writes in a great many genres, from folk to orchestral. He is also one of Scotland's most accomplished rock/blues piano players. ... more

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