Gypsy Davy- Stanley (NC) c. 1940 Abrams/Brown 4C
[Fragment from Brown Collection (where the informant's last name is spelled Stamey- version is titled C. 'The Egyptian Davy O.') also Abrams Collection recording, c. 1940. Mrs. Ephraim Stanley performs 'Gypsy Davy.'
The title "Egyptian Davy O" makes no sense and is found in version C.
Listen: http://omeka.library.appstate.edu/files/original/b92cc47f8dbcf86516ad6d7fc42fce66.mp3
R. Matteson 2015]
1. There were three gypsies in this town,
There were three gypsy Davys
There were three gypsies in this town,
That charmed the heart of a lady.
Ram-ding a ding, o ding o die,
Ram-ding a ding o daisy
Ram-ding a ding, o ding o die,
Ram-ding a ding o daisy
2 "Go saddle up the iron gray mare[1],
For the black is not so speedy.
I'll ride both day and I'll ride both night
Till I overtake my lady."
Ram-ding a ding, o ding o die,
Ram-ding a ding o daisy
Ram-ding a ding, o ding o die,
Ram-ding a ding o daisy
1. first two line largely unintelligable
C. 'The Egyptian Davy O.' Sung by Mrs. Ephraim Stamey. Recorded at Altamont, Avery county, July 14, 1940. Another title given is 'Gypsy Daisy.' There is a general relationship in the melodic line with that of 37G. The variations for measure 1 are from a second recording.
For melodic relationship cf. *SharpK i 235, No. 33D, measures 1-3; BB 95, version D. Scale: Hexatonic (4), plagal. Tonal Center: f. Structure: (stanza) aa1a1b (2,2,2,2); (refrain) cc1c1b1 (2,2,2,2); (both together) aa1bb1 (4,4,4,4). Circular Tune (V).