Catfish Kate

Album: Beneath The Eyrie (2019)
Play Video
  • Call me devil, call me friend, but call me Black Jack Hooligan
    I came all the way from Aberdeen
    To live among the go-betweens
    Let me tell you tell you about Catfish Kate
    In the time before when she's just Kate
    Here in the mountains all alone
    Before the time we called this home

    Where is my angel fallen
    Down at the river bottom
    And will she get away?
    Where is my Blackfoot blossom
    Is she just playing possum
    Who lives another day?

    Here in the valley that we all know
    A river bend that's deep and slow
    Where every creature drinks their fill
    And other creatures take their kill
    Now Kate had went to catch a fish
    To put inside her favorite dish
    A catfish grabbed her by the head
    And took her to his house instead

    Where is my angel fallen
    Down at the river bottom
    And will she get away?
    Where is my Blackfoot blossom
    Is she just playing possum
    Who lives another day?

    Well, they wrestled all the day and night
    The morning showed the bloody sight
    Kate all dressed in catfish clothes
    His whiskers for her catfish robe
    Whiskers for her robe

    Where is my angel fallen
    Down at the river bottom
    And is she there to stay?
    Where is my Blackfoot blossom
    Is she just playing possum
    Who lives another day?

    Now she's known as Catfish Kate Writer/s: Charles Thompson
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 3

  • Shannon from Pasadena, Ca Or if it's taking place in South Dakota, he could be referring to the city of Aberdeen that's located in that state.
  • Steve from Keene, NhI would agree with Twilko. Scottish city.

    The song does have a nice sort of Australian vibe. Like the drowning in Waltzing Matilda thing going on.
  • Twilko from OsakaSeeing as the Black Jack Hooligan character is Scottish, it seems more likely that he is from Aberdeen in Scotland than Aberdeen in Washington.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Colbie Caillat

Colbie CaillatSongwriter Interviews

Since emerging from MySpace with her hit "Bubbly," Colbie has become a top songwriter, even crafting a hit with Taylor Swift.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the Song

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the SongSong Writing

How a goofy detective movie, a disenchanted director and an unlikely songwriter led to one of the biggest hits in pop history.

Name the Character in the Song

Name the Character in the SongMusic Quiz

With a few clues (Works at a diner, dreams of running away), can you name the character in the song?