The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE GYPSY DAVY

IT WAS LATE LAST NIGHT WHEN THE BOSS CAME HOME,
INQUIRING FOR HIS LADY, THE WATCHMAN GAVE A SURE REPLY, SHE'S GONE
WITH THE GYPSY DAVY. (CHORUS) RIDA-COMA GYPSY, GYPSY, GYPSY,
RIDA-COMA GYPSY DAVY. GO HITCH ME UP MY OLD GREY HORSE, MY OLD GREY
HORSE SO SPEEDY, I'LL RIDE ALL NIGHT AND I'LL RIDE ALL DAY, AND I'LL
OVERTAKE MY LADY. (CHORUS) IT'S HE CAUGHT UP HIS OLD GREY HORSE,
HIS OLD GREY HORSE SO SPEEDY, HE RODE ALL NIGHT AND HE RODE ALL
DAY AND HE OVERTOOK HIS LADY. (CHORUS) IT'S COME YOU BACK MY
DEAREST DEAR, IT'S COME YOU BACK MY HONEY, IT'S COME YOU BACK MY
DEAREST DEAR, AND YOU SHALL NEVER WORK FOR MONEY. (CHORUS) I WON'T
COME BACK MY DEAREST DEAR, I WON'T COME BACK MY HONEY, I WOULDN'T
GIVE
A KISS FROM MY GYPSY'S LIPS FOR YOU AND ALL YOUR MONEY. (CHORUS)
IT'S GO TAKE OFF THOSE BUCKSKIN GLOVES, MADE OF SPANISH
LEATHER, GIVE TO ME THOSE LILY-WHITE HANDS AND BID FAREWELL FOREVER.
(CHORUS) I WILL PULL OFF MY BUCKSKIN GLOVES MADE OF SPANISH LEATHER
AND GIVE TO YOU MY LILY-WHITE HANDS AND BID FAREWELL FOREVER.
(CHORUS) I ONCE COULD A-HAD MANY FINE THINGS, FEATHER BEDS AND
MONEY, NOW MY BED IS MADE OF HAY, AND THE GYPSIES DANCE AROUND
ME. (CHORUS)

Submitter comment: THE LAST TWO ENTRIES CONCERNING GYPSIES ARE OBVIOUSLY SLANTED AGAINST
THE RULING CLASS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

Date learned: CA03001974