Gypsy Davy- Ledford (KY) 1944 REC Lomax
[From a radio drama, "Martins and the Coys," a 40-minute ballad opera produced for the BBC by Alan Lomax in 1944 and now reissued as "The Ballad Operas: The Martins and The Coys (Rounder)," part of the Concert and Radio Series in the Alan Lomax Collection. Also see Youtube video which states title is Gipsy Davy by Lily May Ledford. Ledford is accompanied by her sisters, Rosalie and Bella Allen.
Featured players in The Martins and The Coys: Burl Ives (narrator), Will Geer (Uncle Boone Martin), Geoffrey Bryant (Ben Martin), Jimmy Dobson (Oaty Martin), Katherine Raht (Dellie Coy), Helen Claire (Sary Coy), Woody Guthrie (Alex Coy).
Featured musicians: Lily May Ledford, Pete Seeger, Fiddlin' Arthur Smith, Hally Wood.
Supporting musicians: Tom Glazer, Cisco Houston, Rosalie Allen, Sonny Terry.
In addition to the narration and dialogue, the ballad opera includes 16 traditional and topical songs.
Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZKOsmn8xkw
The melody is unusual because it mainly in a minor key with minor harmonies.
R. Matteson 2015]
1. Gypsy Laddie come riding through the wilderness
Singing so loud an merry-O;
His voice rang loud through the green, green trees
And it charmed the heart of a maiden-O,
And it charmed the heart of a maiden-O.
2. How old are you my pretty little miss,
How old are you my honey-O?
She answered him with a "tee, haw, haw,
"I'll be sixteen next Sunday-O,
I'll be sixteen next Sunday-O."
3. Will you go with me my pretty little miss
Will you go with me my honey-O?
I'll take you cross the deep blue sea,
And you'll never want for money-O,
And you'll never want for money-O.
4. O will you leave your fine, fine home,
Your husband and your baby-O?
O will you leave them all behind,
And go with Gypsy Laddie-O,
And go with Gypsy Laddie-O.
5 O yes, I'll leave my fine, fine home,
My husband and my baby-O;
O yes, I'll leave them all behind
And go with Gypsy Laddie-O,
And go with Gypsy Laddie-O.
6. Last night she slept on a fine feather bed,
By the side of her husband
Tonight she roams the wide world o'er,
By the side of Gypsy Laddie-O
By the side of Gypsy Laddie-O.