The Gypsy Daisy- from an old man by E.E.D. (MA) 1904 Barry A
[My title. From: Traditional Ballads in New England II by Phillips Barry; The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 18, No. 70 (Jul. - Sep., 1905), pp. 191-214. Also Leach C.
R. Matteson 2012]
IX. THE GYPSY LADDIE
A. Taken down by an operative in the Stillman Woollen Mills, Stillman, N. S., from the singing of an old man. Communicated by E. E. D., Cambridge, Mass.
1. The Gypsy Daisy came riding o'er the plain,
He sang so loud and clearly,
He sang till he made the green woods ring,
And charmed the heart of a Lady.
REFRAIN-, Red Lady dingo, dingo day,
Red Lady dingo, dingo Daisy;
Red Lady dingo, dingo day,
She's away with the Gypsy Daisy.
2. "Come saddle me my old brown hack,
The gray one is not so speedy,
I'll ride all day, and I'll ride all night,
Till I overtake my Lady."
3. He rode till he came to the riverside,
The waters flowed so freely,
The tears down his cheeks did flow,
And then he saw his Lady.
4. "Could you forsake your house and home,
Could you forsake your baby,
Could you forsake your own wedded Lord,
And go with the Gypsy Daisy?"
5 "Yes, I'll forsake my house and home,
Yes, I'll forsake my baby,
Yes I'll forsake my own wedded Lord,
And go with the Gypsy Daisy.
6. "Last night I lay on a bed of down,
The Land Lord lay by me;
To-night I'll lay on the damp cold ground,
Along with the Gypsy Daisy."