The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

GYPSY DAVEY

IT WAS LATE LAST NIGHT
WHEN THE BOSS CAME HOME,
ASKING ABOUT HIS LADY
AND THE ONLY ANSWER HE RECEIVED,
SHE'S GONE WITH THE GYPSY DAVEY,
SHE'S GONE WITH THE GYPSY DAVE.
GO SADDLE FOR ME MY BUCKSKIN HORSE,
AND MY HUNDRED DOLLAR SADDLE,
POINT OUT TO ME THEIR WAGON TRACKS,
AND AFTER THEM I'LL TRAVEL,
WELL AFTER THEM I'LL RIDE.
WELL HE HAD NOT RODE TO THE MIDNIGHT MOON,
WHEN HE SAW THEIR CAMPFIRE GLEAMING.
HE HEARD THE NOTES OF THE BIG GUITAR
AND THE VOICE OF THE GYPSY SINGING
THAT SONG OF THE GYPSY DAVE.
TAKE OFF, TAKE OFF YOUR KIDSKIN GLOVES,
AND YOUR BOOTS OF SPANISH LEATHER,
AND GIVE TO ME YOUR LILY WHITE HANDS,
WE'LL GO BACK HOME TOGETHER;
WE'LL GO BACK HOME AGAIN.
NO, I WON'T TAKE OFF MY K
NOR MY BOOTS OF SPANISH LEATHER,
I'LL GO MY WAY FROM DAY TO DAY,
AND SING WITH THE GYPSY DAVEY,
I'LL GO WITH THE GYPSY DAVE.
HAVE YOU FORSAKEN YOUR HOUSE AND HOME?
HAVE YOU FORSAKEN YOUR BABY?
HAVE YOU FORSAKEN YOUR HUSBAND DEAR,
TO GO WITH THE GYPSY DAVEY?
AND SING WITH THE GYPSY DAVE?
YES, I'VE FORSAKEN MY HOUSE AND HOME,
TO GO WITH THE GYPSY DAVEY,
AND I'VE FORSAKEN MY HUSBAND DEAR,
BUT NOT MY BLUE-EYED BABY,
MY PRETTY LITTLE BLUE-EYED BABY.

Submitter comment: BALLAD PERFORMED ON APPALACHIAN DULCIMER

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WATERFORD

James Callow Keyword(s): CHILD BALLAD 200

Date learned: 00-00-1984

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WHEN EARLY MORN

WHEN EARLY MORNING'S RUDDY LIGHT,
BIDS MAN TO LABOR GO,
WE HASTE WITH SCYTHES, ALL SHARP AND BRIGHT,
THE MEADOW'S GRASS TO MOW.
WE MOWERS DEL DE REL DEY,
WE CUT THE LILLIES AND HA, HA, HA
HA, HA, HA, HEY DEY, DEY, YES HEY DEY, DEY.
WE CUT THE LILLIES AND HAY.
HEY, DEY, DEY, YES HEY DEY DEY
WE CUT THE LILLIES AND HAY.

THE MAIDENS COME IN GLADSOME TRAIN,
AND SKIP ALONG THEIR WAY,
THE MAIDENS DEL, DE, REL, DEY
THEY CUT THE LILLIES AND HA, HA, HA,
HA, HA, HA, HEY DEY DEY, YES HEY DEY, DEY,
THEY CUT THE LILLIES AND HAY.
HEY DEY DEY, YES HEY DEY DEY
THEY CUT THE LILLIES AND HAY.

Submitter comment:

MAY 17, 1965: I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MY MOTHER SAYING THAT
MY FATHER GO UP TO GAYLORD WHERE THEY HAVE A SMALL PLOT OF LAND WHICH
MY MOTHER LIVES IN DEARBORN, MICHIGAN, BUT DURING THE SUMMER SHE AND
THEY "FARM".
SHE SENT ME THE SONG WHICH APPEARS ON THE OTHER SIDE FROM GAYLORD.
AT THE END OF HER NOTE, SHE WROTE:
"IN 1912 I SANG THAT (THE SONG) IN MRS. BESSIE SPEARS 4TH
ROOM AT CASTNER SCHOOL, DONORA, PA."
THE SONG WAS SUNG FROM A BOOK, BUT THAT SHE STILL REMEMBERS THE TUNE.

Was possibly once a work song.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Gaylord

Keyword(s): Ballad ; Lyrics ; RHYME ; SONG ; Tune

Date learned: 05-11-1965

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