Gyspy Davie- M. L. F. (ME) pre1870 Barry O
[My title, from two versions - same informant. From: New Ballad Texts by Phillips Barry; The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 24, No. 93 (Jul. - Sep., 1911), pp. 344-349. This is his B version in BBM, 1929. Barry's notes follow.
R. Matteson 2015]
Barry adds: In two copies, referred to as a and b, from which the following text is made up. a = copy written down by me from dictation, Oct. 16, 1907. b = MS. of M. L. F., forwarded, 1908 (stanza 6 is omitted). The variations between the two copies are slight: in a, stanzas 7 and 8 are transposed; the same copy has the refrain,
. . .
. . .
. . . Liddy um iddy Avey
. . .
(1-7) And charmed the heart of a Lady,
(8) And I'll go with the Gypsy Davy.
II. [Gypsy Davie] "The Gypsy Laddie," O, Folk-Songs of the North Atlantic States, from M. L. F., Portland, Me., as sung before 1870, in Fort Kent., Me.
b. 1. The Gyspy Davie came over the hills,
Came over the eastern valley,
He sang till he made the green woods ring,
And charmed the heart of a lady.
b. 2. The lord, returning home at night,
Inquired for his lady,
The maid to this replied,
"She's gone with the Gypsy Davie."
b. 3. "Go harness me my coal black steed,
The grey is not so speedy,
I rode all day, and I'll ride all night,
Till I overtake my lady.
b. 4. He rode till he came to the muddy water's side,
It looked so dark and dreary,
Till there he espied his bonny, bonny bride,
By the side of the Gypsy Davie.
b. 5. "Would you forsake your home and friends,
Would you forsake your baby,
Would you forsake your own wedded lord,
And go with a Gypsy Davie?"
a. 6. "Yes, I'll forsake my home and friends,
Yes, I'll forsake my baby,
Yes, I'll forsake my own wedded lord,
And go with the Gypsy Davy!"
b. 7. "I never loved you in my life,
I never loved my baby,
I never loved my home and friends,
But I love my Gypsy Davie!"
b. 8. "Last night I slept in a warm, soft bed,
And in my arms, my baby,
To-night I'll lie on the cold, cold ground,
Beside of my Gypsy Davie."