Gypsy David- Griffin (GA-FL) pre1877 Morris A/ Bronson 13.
[My title, replacing first line. From Folksongs of Florida by Alton C. Morris. published by the University of Florida Press, 1950.
Born in 1863 in Dooley, Georgia, Griffin learned most of her ballads from her father, a fiddler, before 1877 when she moved to Florida.
R. Matteson 2015]
[Gypsy David] "It was Late in the Night When Johnny Came Home" -- Sung by Mrs. G. A. Griffin, Newberry, Fla.
1. It was late in the night when Johnny came home,
inquiring for his lady, O,
But this reply was made to him,
She's gone with the Gypsy David.
Chorus: Raddle up a dinktum, a dinktum, a dinktum,
Raddle up a dink kye aisy,
Raddle up a dinktum, whoopee little dinktum,
My, ain't I aisy.
2 "Saddle up, saddle up, my little black horse;
My roan is not so speedy."
I've rode him all night, and I'll ride him all day,
Or I'll overtake my lady.
3 "I rode and I rode to the sea seaside,
And there it was black and muddy
Come back, come back, my own true love,
Come back, come back, my honey.
4 "I swear by my side[1] and hang by my side
That you'll never tack for money."
5 "I won't come back, and I shan't come back
For you or your land and money;
I wouldn't give a kiss from the Gypsy's lips
For you and your land and money."
6 "O what will you do with your house and land?
0 what will you do with your money?
O what will you do with your two little babes,
To go with the Gypsy David?"
7 "With you I'll leave my house and land;
With you I'll leave my money;
With you I'll leave my two little babes,
To go with the Gypsy David."
8 "Pray when you get to the Gypsy's land,
Please write me back a letter;
And if they don't treat you well,
Perhaps I'll come after you."
9. She hadn't been there but a very short time.
And she wrote him back a letter,
"Perhaps if you'll come after me,
Perhaps I'll treat you better.
10. "Once I had a nice feather bed,
And once I had a honey,
But now I'm a-lying all over the hay
With the gypsies marching 'round me."
1. sword that hangs