Gypsy Davey- Bailey (VT) 1962 MacArthur REC
[My transcription. From: Margaret MacArthur Collection -- VFC2003-0007
http://www.vermontfolklifecenter.org/digital-archive/collections/items/show/1000
Also from: Recording by Margaret MacArthur on Folkways "Folksongs of Vermont" in 1963- where one verse is missing. Her notes follow.
R. Matteson 2012, 2015]
As sung by Alice Snow Bailey of Readsboro, Vermont. She is from the West Dover Snow family. A manuscript of her grandmother's songs has been lost, irretrievably, I'm afraid, by her siblings. Her grandmother owned the beautiful dulcimer which is now in the possession of Harry Spicer, W. Dover. The accompaniment is played on an old Austrian harp which belonged to the late Tony Hansen of Halifax, Vermont. It might be the very one Lester Fairbanks sold to a friend in Halifax some 40 years ago.
Gypsy Davey- Sung by Alice Snow Bailey of Readsboro, Vermont 05-07, 1962.
Gypsy Davey come trippin' o'er the plain,
Sang so loud and gaily,
Sang so loud at the green wood tree(s)
He [1] won the heart of a lady.
CHORUS: Rattle-all diddle-all diddle-all din,
Rattle-all diddle-all diddle-all daisy,
Rattle-all diddle-all diddle-all din,
She's gone with the Gypsy Davey.
The lord of the castle came riding by,
Inquiring for his lady,
The servants gave him this reply:
"She's gone with Gypsy Davey."
CHORUS
Go saddle me my old gray mare
The bay is not so speedy,
I'll ride all night and I'll ride all day,
Till I overtake my lady.
CHORUS
He rode down to the river side,
The weather was dark and rainy,
Tears came trinkling down his cheek,
As he beheld is lady.
CHORUS
"Oh will you leave your wedded lord,
Oh will you leave your baby?
Oh will you leave your house and home[2]
And go with Gypsy Davey?
CHORUS
Yes, I'll leave my house and home,
Yes, I'll leave my baby
Yes, I'll leave my wedded lord.
And go with Gypsy Davey.
CHORUS
1. Sings "Who won" changed to "He won. . ." as did MacArthur.
2. Forgets the end of this line but it's clearly "house and home."