024 Canst Thou Leave Me Thus, My Katie?

Tune: Roy's Wife

Chorus

Canst thou leave me thus, my Katie!

Canst thou leave me thus, my Katie!

Well thou know'st my aching heart,

And canst thou leave me thus, for pity?

1.

Is this thy plighted, fond regard:

Thus cruelly to part, my Katie?

Is this thy faithful swain's reward:

An aching broken heart, my Katie?

2.

Farewell! And ne'er such sorrows tear

That fickle heart of thine, my Katie!

Thou may'st find those will love thee dear,

But not a love like mine, my Katie.

Notes

Title Canst Thou Leave Me Thus, My Katie?: Can You Leave Me, My Katie?

This song was written in November 1794 and was first printed in 1799.

Chorus

Line 3 know'st: know

Stanza 1

Line 1 thy: your; fond: good; regard: respect

Line 3 swain: lover

Stanza 2

Line 1 Farewell: goodbye; ne'er: never

Line 3 may'st: may