American Old Time Song Lyrics: 33 Katty Avourneen

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 33

KATTY AVOURNEEN.

'Twas a cold winter's night, and the tempest was snarlin',
The snow like a sheet covered cabin and stye,
When Barney flew over the hills to his darlin',
And tapped at the window where Katty did lie.
"Arrah! jewel," said he, "are ye sleepin' or wakin'?
The night's bitter cold, an' my coat it is thin;
Oh! the storm 'tis a-brewin', the frost it is bakin';
Oh! Katty Avourneen, you must let me in."

"Arrah! Barney," cried she, an' she spoke thro' the window,
"Ah! would ye be taken me out of my bed?
To come at this time it's a shame and a "sin, too­It's whiskey, not love, that's got into your head.
If your heart it was true, of my fame you'd be tender-
Consider the time, an' there's nobody in;
Oh! what has a poor girl but her name to defend her?
No, Barney Avourneen, I won't let you in."

"Ah! cushla," cried he, "it's my heart is a fountain
That weeps for the wrong it might lay at your door;
Your name is more white than the snow on the mountain,
And Barney would die to preserve it as pure;
I'll go to my home, though the winter winds face me,
I'll whistle them off, for I'm happy within;
An' the words of my Kathleen will comfort an' bless me­"Oh! Barney Avourneen, I won't let you in."