Gypsy Davey- Franklin (KY) 1917 Sharp H
[My title. Single stanza from: English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, collected by Cecil J. Sharp also Olive Dame Campbell. Edited by Maud Karpeles, Volume I, published 1917, 1932. Notes from 1932 edition follow, then Sharp's diary entry.
R. Matteson 2015]
Notes No. 33. The Gypsy Laddie.
Texts without tunes:—-Child's English and Scottish Popular Ballads, No. 200. C. S. Burne's Shropshire Folk-Lore, p. 550. Gavin Greig's Folk-Song of the North-East, ii, art. 110. Irish and English broadsides. Garret's Merrie Book o' Garlands, vol. i. A. Williams's Folk Songs of the Upper Thames, p. 120. Journal of American Folk-Lore, xix. 294; xxiv. 346; xxv. 171-5. Broadside by H. de Marsan, New York (a comic parody).
Texts with tunes:—-Songs of the West, 2nd ed., No. 50. Folk Songs from Somerset, No. 9 (also published English Folk Songs, Selected Edition, i. 13, and One Hundred English Folk-Songs, p. 13). Gavin Greig's Last Leaves, No. 60. Scots Musical Museum, ii, No. 181. Cox's Folk Songs of the South, pp. 130 and 524. Journal of American Folk-Lore, xviii. 191 ; xxii. 80 (tune only) ; xxx. 323. British Ballads from Maine, p. 269. Davis's Traditional Ballads of Virginia, pp. 423 and 590. McGill's Folk Songs of the Kentucky Mountains, p. 15. Sandburg's American Songbag, p. 311.
Version A is published with pianoforte accompaniment in Folk Songs of English Origin, 2nd Series.
The first two lines of the second stanza of text A provide a good instance of the stereotyped idiom of the ballad. Owing to the almost invariable description of a 'steed' as 'milk-white' the term has come to lose its literal significance, and in the mind of the singer a 'milk-white steed' means merely a horse. Similarly the folk will sing without any sense of contradiction of a 'false true lover.'
Sharp diary 1917 page 137. Wednesday 9 May 1917 - Barbourville
In the morning we went round to rout out a Mrs Delie Knuckles. After going to her former residence (and having a formal visit with her former hostess) we struck her present dwelling. Wouldn’t sing then — too busy, washing — but promised to do so tomorrow at 5. Then on to a Mr Ben Henson, a nice good-looking farmer chap of about 35, who by mere chance happened to be home. He gave me a beautiful version of B[arbara] Allen & promised to sing tomorrow night after dinner. At 12.30 we went again to the Broughton-cum-Sloan group and got several more good songs. On return found a lot of proofs awaiting me — only 2nd or 3rd proofs alas! — After a rest & some tea, did the proofs and posted them myself at 5 p.m. special delivery. At 6 went to the Franklin’s to dinner. Found them very friendly & hospitable. Rather like a slightly older & more sophisticated version of Storey & his wife of Mt Smokey! They entertained us pleasantly and it was a nice evening. But I am very tired & feel far from well.
H. [Gypsy Davey] Sung by Mrs. FRANKLIN at Barbourville, Knox Co., Ky., May 9, 1917
Heptatonic. Ionian.
There was a gypsy came to this country,
He sang so loud and sweetly;
He sang till he made the whole dell ring
To win the heart of a lady.
Rattle arter ding and a hoodle artee day
Rattle arter ding, ding Davey.