Gipsum Davy- (KY) 1923 Pine Mt. Settlement School
[My title, replacing the generic "Gipsy Laddie." From: Song Ballads & Other Songs of the Pine Mountain Settlement School (1923) pp. 38-39.
R. Matteson 2015]
Gipsum Davy- as sung by the children/teachers at The Pine Mountain Settlement School, Kentucky.
1. It was late in the night when the squire came home,
Enquiring for his lady
His servant made a sure reply:
She's gone with the gipsum Davy
CHORUS: Rattle tum a gipsum, gipsum,
Rattle tum a gipsum Davy.
2. Oh go catch up my milk white steed,
The black one's not so speedy,
I'll ride all night till broad daylight
Or overtake my lady.
3. He rode and he rode till he came to town,
He rode till he came to Barley,
The tears came rolling down his cheeks,
And there he spied his lady.
4. It's come go back, my dearest dear,
Come go back, my honey,
It's come go back, my dearest dear,
And you shall never lack for money.
5. I won't go back, my dearest dear,
I won't go back, my honey,
For I wouldn't give a kiss from gipsum's lips,
For you and all your money.
6. It's go pull off those snow-white gloves,
A-made of Spanish leather,
And give to me your lily-white hand,
And bid farewell forever.
7. It's she pulled off those snow-white gloves,
A-made of Spanish leather,
And give to him her lily-white hand,
And bade farewell forever.
8 She soon ran through her gay clothing
Her velvet shoes and stockings,
Her gold ring off her finger's gone
And the gold plate off her bosom.
9. O once I had a house and land,
Feather bed and money,
But now I've come to an old straw pad,
With the gypsies dancing round me.