Dark-Clothed Gypsy, The- White (NL) 1929 Greenleaf A
[From: Ballads and Sea-Songs of Newfoundland- Page 38 by Elizabeth Bristol Greenleaf, Grace Yarrow Mansfield - 1933. Notes by Kirrtredge follow.
R. Matteson 2012]
For American references see Campbell and Sharp, No. 27; Cox, No. 21; Davis, No. 37; Barry, Eckstorm, and Smyth, pp. 269-277, Hudson, No. 18; Sandburg, p. 311. Victoria White's tune is entirely different from that published by Campbell and Sharp, but will be found very sweet and haunting. Cf. Keith, No. 60.
THE DARK-CLOTHED GYPSY (THE GYPSY LADDIE, CHILD, No. 200) Sung by Victoria White, Sandy Cove, 1929.
1. There's three young gypsies all in a row,
They sang so sweet, so very, very sweet,
They sang so sweet, so very, very sweet,
It would charm the heart of a lady fair.
2. "Are you going to forsake your houses and land,
Are you going to forsake your children too?
Are you going to forsake your own true wedded love
And follow the dark-clothed gypsy, O?"
3 "Yes, I'm going to forsake my houses and land;
Yes, I'm going to forsake my children, too;
I'm going to forsake my own wedded love
And follow the dark-clothed gypsy, O."
4. Last night you slept on a warm feather-bed,
With all the sheets as white as snow,
And to-night you may lie on the damp cold ground,
In the arms of a dark-clothed gypsy, O.