The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #3387   Message #16838
Posted By: Richard
28-Nov-97 - 05:53 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Katy Avourneen
Subject: RE: Katy Avourneen
I think what I might have is a parody. Title of the script says "A song called Katy Avourneen, Snowshoe [Creek] April 10 1875." That's in British Columbia, by the way. hard to tell if the words fit.

It begins: "Twas a cold winters night and the tempest was snarling The snow like a sheet covered cabin and stay[?] When Barney flew over the hills to his darling and rapped at the window where Katy did lie Arrah jewel, says he, are you sleeping or waking It's cold bitter night and my coat it is thin The storm is brewing the frost is a bakin[?] O Katty avourneen you must let me in

She does not let him in and the final line is:

"No Barney avourneen I won't let you in"

Almost has a similar theme to "Good Night Mrs. Brown" and a story that went around the Canadian papers at that time about a man who locked his wife out of the house, and then she followed suit.

It was, however, sung at the Theatre Royal, Barkerville B.C. at least once in the 1870s.