The Davy- Grover (ME) 1941 Lomax REC
[From AAFS, recording No 4454(B1). Collected by Alan Lomax. Also in Grover, n.d., p. 116. Bronson 8. Also see Wells; Ballad Tree p. 116 collected from Grover in 1944.
R. Matteson 2015]
"The Davy" - Sung by Mrs. Carrie Grover, Gorham, Me., 1941.
1. The Squire came home late at night
Inquiring for his lady,
The servant made him this reply,
"She's gone with the Gypsy Davy."
Refrain
Too-riddle ink tom toor de lie [1]
Too riddle ink tom tido
The servant made him this reply,
"She's gone with the Gypsy Davy."
2. "Go harness up my milk-white steed,
The gray is not so speedy.
I'll ride all night and I'll ride all day,
Till I overtake my lady."
[Refrain as before, changing line three]
3. He rode till he came to the river's side
It looked so dark and dreary
There he espied his lady fair
Along with the Gypsy Davy.
[Refrain as before, lines three and four changing]
4. "Would you forsake your house and home
Would you forsake your baby?
Would you forsake your own wed lord,
And go 'long with the Gypsy Davy?"
[Refrain as before]
5. "Yes, I'd forsake my house and home,
Yes, I'd forsake my baby,
Yes, I'd forsake my own wed lord,
And go 'long with the Gypsy Davy."
[Refrain as before]
6. "Last night I lay on a bed of down
My baby lay beside me
Tonight I'll lay on the cold, cold ground
Along with Gypsy Davy."
Toor de linktum toor de lie
Toor de linktum tido
Tonight I'll lay on the cold, cold ground,
Along with the Gypsy Davy."
1. Tour da link-tum, tour-da-lie
Tour da link-tum ti-do
(from Wells, 1944)