The Gypsy Davy- Farmer (ME) c.1840 Child J b
[My title, same as J a title except for spelling. From: The English and Scottish Popular Ballads by Francis James Child; Volume 7: Ballads 189-225; published December 1890.
J b was reconstructed from end-notes. The changes given are not always accurate.
R. Matteson 2012]
J b. The Gypsy Davy- Mrs. Farmer (ME) c.1840 Child J b
From the singing of Mrs. Farmer, born in Maine, as learned by her daughter, about 1840.
1. The gypsy came tripping over the lea,
The gypsy he sang boldly;
He sang till he made the merry woods ring,
And he charmed the heart of the lady.
CHORUS: Ring a ding a ding go ding go da,
Ring a ding a ding go da dy,
Ring a ding a ding go ding go da,
She's gone with the gypsy Davy.
2. 'Will you forsake your house and home?
Will you forsake your baby?
Will you forsake your own wedded lord,
And go with the gypsy Davy?'
3. 'Yes, I'll forsake my house and home,
And I'll forsake my baby;
I will forsake my own wedded lord.
And go with the gypsy Davy.
4. The lord came home that self-same night,
Inquired for his lady;
The merry maid made him this reply,
'She 's gone with the gypsy Davy.'
5. 'Bring me out the blackest steed;
The brown one's not so speedy;
I'll ride all day, and I'll ride all night,
Till I overtake my lady.'
6. He rode along by the river-side,
The water was black and rily,
Seated with her gypsy lad,
It's there he spied his lady.
*7. Puts the question whether she will go back.
8. I lay last night. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
* This edited version from Pennington (AL) in 1952 would fill in the missing text.
7. Won't you turn back my pretty little miss
Now won't you turn back my honey.
I swear by the sword that hangs from my side
We never shall lack for money
8. I won't turn back my pretty little miss
I won't turn back your honey.
I'd rather take a kiss from gypsy's lips,
Than you and all your money.
9. Last night you lay on a feather bed
Your husband he lay by you
Tonight you lay on an old straw bed
With the gypsies all around you.