The Gypsy Davy- Ripley (MO) 1959 Hunter/Parler J
[My letter designation, Parler J. From Ozark Folk Song Collection online; Reel 347, Item 10. Collected Max Hunter. Dubbed by M.C. Parler. This also appears in the Hunter Collection and probably should be associated with that collection first.
Listen: [upcoming]
R. Matteson 2015]
The Gypsy Davy - Sung by Mrs. George Ripley Milford, Mo. Nov. 21, 1959
Gypsy Davy came along,
He sang so strange and sweetly,
That he made the greenwoods ring
And he charmed the heart of a lady.
And he charmed the heart of a lady. (Every fourth line is repeated.)
Come, go with me, my pretty little miss,
Come, go with me, my honey,
Come, go with me, my pretty little miss,
You shall not want for money.
The lord on coming home that night,
Inquiring for his lady,
And all that he could hear them say
She's gone with the gypsy Davy.
She's gone with the gypsy boy.
Go saddle up my milk-white steed,
For the bay is not so speedy,
I'll ride all night and I'll ride all day
Till I overtake my lady.
To overtake my lady.
He rode all night and he rode all day,
Till he came to the river muddy,
And the tears came streaming down his cheeks,
For there he spied his lady.
Go take off your low-cut shoes,
Made of Spanish leather,
Put on your high-top boots
And we'll walk and talk together.
Last night you slept in a warm feather-bed,
Beside me and my baby,
Tonight you'll sleep on the cold, cold ground
In the arms of a gypsy Davy.
In the arms of a gypsy boy.
Go pull off your high-top gloves,
Made of Spanish leather,
And let me hold your lily-white hands,
And I'll bid farewell forever.