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

Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty

Rob Thomas of Matchbox TwentySongwriter Interviews

Rob Thomas on his Social Distance Sessions, co-starring with a camel, and his friendship with Carlos Santana.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Rosanne Cash

Rosanne CashSongwriter Interviews

Rosanne talks about the journey that inspired her songs on her album The River & the Thread, including a stop at the Tallahatchie Bridge.

Gene Simmons of Kiss

Gene Simmons of KissSongwriter Interviews

The Kiss rocker covers a lot of ground in this interview, including why there are no Kiss collaborations, and why the Rock Hall has "become a sham."

Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes

Chris Robinson of The Black CrowesSongwriter Interviews

"Great songwriters don't necessarily have hit songs," says Chris. He's written a bunch, but his fans are more interested in the intricate jams.