ONLY AS FAR AS THE GATE, DEAR MA
(G.Williams/J.P. Skelly)

My sweetheart's a sly little fairy, her age it is just seventeen
Her parents think she is too airy, but a sweeter girl never was seen
At night she steals out of the cottage, her mother cries after Kate
She answers, Dear Ma, I'm not going far
Just a-going as far as the gate

Chorus A:
Only as far as the gate, dear Ma, just down to the old garden gate
Oh, the night is so warm and there's no sign of storm
I love to stand by the gate

Of course, at the gate I am waiting, and sweet are the words that we say
While inside the old folks are debating the price of the next load of hay
Sometimes I call gently for Katy, she answers, Dear Ma, 'tis not late
The night is so warm and there's no sign of storm
I love to stand by the gate

Chorus B:
Only as far as the gate, dear Ma, just down to the old garden gate
Oh, the moon is so bright and it's such a fine night
I love to stand by the gate

They say she's too young to be married, but with them I cannot agree
Love's message I've carried to Katy, and a kiss was her answer for me
We'll wander way by the moonlight, much longer I'm sure we can't wait
Some night, by and by, to the parson's we'll fly
When Katy comes down to the gate

Repeat chorus A.

Source: transcription of Uncle Dave Macon 'Only As Far As the Gate, Dear Ma' recorded on 16 April 1926 and issued in June 1926 as Vocalion 15323. Reissued on Uncle Dave Macon 'Fun In Life' Bear Family LP 15519.

Note: words by Gus Williams and music by J. Plumber Skelly 1882. Other old-time recordings: (Sid) Harkreader and (Grady) Moore 'Only As Far As the Gate' ca June 1926, Pmt 3035; Red Patterson's Piedmont Log Rollers 'My Sweetheart's A Shy Little Fairy' March 1927, Vi 21187; and Vernon Dalhart 'I'm Just Going Down to the Gate, Dear Ma' May 1929, Harmony 946-H.

--Stewie.