Gyps of David- Frank Proffitt (NC) 1962 Paton REC
[From: Folk-Legacy LP recording No. FSA-1. Collected by Sandy Paton. Bronson 111. Included in Plaster's article, "Celtic Influences. . ."
Proffitt knew at least two versions, the first was recording with him playing guitar by Abrams circa 1949 (Brown Collection). In my opinion this second version is far superior, it's slower, played with banjo accompaniment-- and is more interesting textually and melodically.
He learned this from his "Aunt" (I have her as his great-Aunt) Nancy Prather, whom he also learned "Tom Dooley." No doubt this was arranged. One stanza of Prather's version "Gyps of David" is also in the Brown Collection. It seems that Proffitt has arranged this version.
R. Matteson 2015]
"Gyps of David"- Sung by Frank Proffitt, Reese, N.C., January 1962. Learned from his "Aunt" Nancy Prather.
1. Who's that gallopin' on the King's highway,
Singin' so gay and haily[1]?
It's that dark and handsome[2] lad
Known as the Gyps of David,
Known as the Gyps of David.
2. Where may the good man be, said he,
My own true fair lady?
He's gone a-searchin' far and wide,
Searchin' for the Gyps of David,
Searchin' for the Gyps of David.
3. Will you come away with me
And give up all you've saved'
And give up all the ones you've loved
To go with the Gyps of David,
To go with the Gyps of David?
4. I'll leave the good man of the house,
The baby in the cradle,
And all the gold that's stored away
To go with the Gyps of David,
To go with the Gyps of David.
5. So away they rode for many a day
Across the miry heather:
They didn't stop for bran [2] nor briar
Or any sort of weather,
Or any sort of weather.
6. The good man when he returned
Inquirin' for his lady,
She sped away a while ago,
In the arms of the Gyps of David,
In the arms of the Gyps of David.
7. Go saddle me up my fleetest steed,
And don't fool time a-dawdlin';
I'll have his head on the end of my sword
The head of the Gyps of David,
The head of the Gyps of David.
8. He rode till he come to the waters wide
And couldn't go no farther;
On the other side he spied his bride
In the arms of the Gyps of David,
In the arms of the Gyps of David.
9. Will you return to the gold I have,
Will you return to your baby?
No never will I leave the arms,
The arms of the Gyps of David,
The arms of the Gyps of David.
10. He jumped into the waters wide,
In madness he was ravin',
And floated off down to the sea
Because of the Gyps of David,
Because of the Gyps of David.
1. Cf Matteson/Henry, 1933. hale= sturdy or hearty
2. Plaster had "roving."
3. Plaster has "vine nor briar"