The Gypsy Davy- Cogar (WV) 1922 Cox C
[From Folk-Songs of the South- Cox, 1925; He also published 3 versions in 1939 designated A1 (see Scarborough G), B1, C1. Cox's notes follow.
R. Matteson 2015]
21. THE GYPSY LADDIE (Child, No. 200)
Four variants have been recovered in West Virginia. They resemble Child J. B differs from A and from Child J in that the lady repents and goes back home. Cf. note by Kittredge, Journal, xxx, 323. Of the English versions they are most like Child G. Cf. The American Star Songster, New York, 185 1, p. 54.
For a list of American texts and for references, English and American, see Journal, xxx, 323. Add Campbell and Sharp, No. 27 (Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia) ; Sharp, Folk-Songs of English Origin collected in the Appalachian Mountains, 2d Series, p. 6 (compounded of Campbell and Sharp, No. 27, A and C); Minish MS. (North Carolina); Bulletin, No. 8, p. 7; No. 9, p. 7; No. n, p. 8.
C. "The Gypsy Davy." Contributed by Mr. N. E. Cogar, Berryburg, Webster County, January 12, 1922.
1 Gypsy came riding down this way,
He looked so neat and handsome;
He made such a sound to [1] the greenwoods roared,
And charmed the heart of a lady.
Raddle lol de ding, de ding, dol day,
Raddle lol de ding, de ding,, dol,
Raddle lol de ding,, de ding, dol day,
Saying, "I'm for the Gypsy Davy."
2 A lady came tripping down the stairs,
And in each hand a bottle,
Saying, "I will drink with all my friends,
And go with the Gypsy Davy."
3 At night the landlord he came home,
Inquiring for his lady,
And all the answer he could get,
"She is gone with the Gypsy Davy."
4. "Go saddle me up the gray," he said,
"For the black is not so speedy;
I've rode all day and I'll ride all night,
But I'll overtake my lady."
5. He rode till he came to the river's brim,
It being both deep and muddy;
The tears came trickling down his cheeks,
And there he beheld his lady.
6 "Have you forsaken your house and land,
Have you forsaken your baby?
Have you forsaken your old mother-in-law,
And gone with the Gypsy Davy?"
7 "Yes, I've forsaken my house and land,
Yes, I've forsaken my baby;
Yes, I've forsaken my old mother-in-law,
And gone with the Gypsy Davy."
8 "Last night I lay in my own feather bed,
By the side of my little baby;
To-night I'll lay in the mud and the rain,
By the side of the Gypsy Davy."
1 Error for till or that.