Only As Far As the Gate Dear Ma

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 going as far as the gate"

Only as far as the gate, dear Ma

Just down to the old garden gate

Oh, the night air 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 Katie

She answers, "Dear Ma, 'tis not late"

For the night is so warm and there's no sign of storm

I love to stand by the gate

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 the message I've carried to Katie

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 we'll fly

When Katie comes down to the gate

Only as far as the gate, dear Ma

Just down to the old garden gate

Oh, the night air is so warm and there's no sign of storm

I love to stand by the gate