Gypsy Davy- (TN-VA) 1934 Cambiaire
[No informant, date or specific place named. From: Eastern Tennessee and Western Virginia Mountain Ballads- Cambiaire, 1934
Cambiaire was a teacher and apparently his students collected these songs and ballads in Tennessee and Virginia.
R. Matteson 2015]
31. THE GYPSY LADDIE
(Gypsy Davy)
'Twas late last night when the landlord came home,
Inquiring for his lady.
The answer came in a sad reply:
"She's gone with the Gypsy Davy."
"Go saddle up my little black horse,
The bay is not so speedy;
I'll ride all day and I'll ride all night,
Or I'll overtake my lady."
He rode all day and he rode all night
I3y the waters swift and muddy.
The tears did flow like raindrops down,
And there he spied his lady.
He said, "Come home, my own true love;
Come home, come home, my honey.
I'll swear by the sword that hangs by my side,
That you never shall want for money.
"How can you forsake your house and home
How can you forsake your baby?
How can you forsake your own true lord
To go with the Gypsy Davy?"
"I can forsake my house and home ;
I can forsake my baby:
I can forsake my own true lord
To go with the Gypsy Davy."
"Come take off those high heel shoes
That are made of Spanish leather,
And give to me your little white hand
That we may live together."
"I'll not take off these high heel shoes
That are made of Spanish leather,
And give to you my little white hand
That we may part for ever."
"Last night I slept on a warm feather bed
Beside my wife and baby;
To-night I ride by the cold riverside,
So cold, and O, so dreary."