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Scots Language Centre Centre for the Scots Leid

Katie Bairdie

It is very easy for people to make up their own fun verses for this song.

Katie Bairdie sherrifmuir tune (800)_tcm4-573357

The verses in this recording were made up and sung by singer Christine Kydd with classes P3 and P4/5 from Inchture Primary, in the Carse of Gowrie between Perth and Dundee, for the On The Hoof project in 2009.

Katie Bairdie had a yowe
That could curtsey and could bow
Wasnae that a dainty yowe?
Dance, Katie Bairdie

Katie Bairdie had a horse
That could dance around the carse
Wasnae that a dainty horse?
Dance, Katie Bairdie

Katie Bairdie had a dog
It went jogging in the fog
Wasnae that a dainty dog?
Dance, Katie Bairdie

Katie Bairdie had a fox
Wore its socks in a cardboard box
Wasnae that a dainty fox?
Dance, Katie Bairdie

Katie Bairdie had a chook
That could cook a tasty deuk
Wasnae that a dainty chook?
Dance, Katie Bairdie

Katie Bairdie had a cat
Wore a fuzzy wuzzy hat
Wasnae that a dainty cat?
Dance, Katie Bairdie

Katie Bairdie had a coo
Bright red lipstick roon its moo
Wasnae that a dainty coo?
Dance, Katie Bairdie

Katie had a chunky monkey
Danced to music punky funky
Wasnae that a dainty monkey?
Dance, Katie Bairdie

Katie had a crocodile
We haven't seen her for a while

Katie Bairdie is an ancient song. The oldest version is about 'Kette Beardie', a man. The following lyric was printed in 1842.

Katie Beardie had a coo
Black and white about the mou
Wasna that a dentie coo?
Dance, Katie Beardie

Katie Beardie had a hen
Cackled but and cackled ben
Wasna that a dentie hen?
Dance, Katie Beardie

Katie Beardie had a cock
That could spin backin rock
Wasna that a dentie cock?
Dance, Katie Beardie

Katie Beardie had a grice
It could skate upon the ice
Wasna that a dentie grice?
Dance, Katie Beardie

For the history of this song, see the book 'Doh Ray Me, When Ah Wis Wee' (McVicar, 2007).