American Old Time Song Lyrics: 51 Katy Did

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 51

KATY DID.

Katy was a raw recruit from Ireland's verdant short,
Greener than the grass that grew beside her cabin door.
Katy smashed her weight in china; broke the bank, in glass;
Nearly sent us all to heaven by blowing out the gas,
Boiled the radishes for dinner-something quite unique;
Scoured the silver spoons with brick dust; made the kettles leak,
Katy did; Katy did it, Katy did.

Katy had a host of cousins; half a score at least,
Dropping in with keen perception of a coming feast.
Loud their cheerful, youthful voices floated up the stairs,
Just at times when callers' presence chained us to our chairs.
And such cooking! Drenched potatoes; biscuits not like flake,
And a charred and smoking ruin was our best beefsteak.
Katy did; Katy did it, Katy did.

But a willing mind had Katy, so we tried our best,
Taught her step by step in all things-never taking rest,
Many a time we longed, indeed, to lay the burden down,
But kept on-for cooks are precious in a factory town;
Till in time, our task rewarded, Katy learned to bake.
Boil and fry, make soups and puddings-even fancy cake.
Katy did; Katy did it, Katy did.

Courage, then my weary sisters, with the raw recruit,
All you need is loving patience, it will bear its fruit.
We have found it so with Katy, though 'twas hard at first;
She became the best of servants, who had been the worst.
And at last, when she had learned to cook and serve with grace,
Katy left us without warning for another place.
Katy did, Katy did it-oh! she did.