Gypsy Davy- Hubbard/Heed (UT) pre1885 Hubbard; Bronson No. 11.
[From Ballads and Songs from Utah; Hubbard, 1961, p. 36. See Buttery's version from Arkansas for another "wolves howling 'round me" version.
R. Matteson 2015]
"Gypsy Davy" -- Sung by Mrs. Salley A. Hubbard, Salt Lake City, Utah, and her sister, Mrs. Lottie Marsh Heed of Ogden; learned before 1885 from their mother.
1. There was a gypsy come over the hill,
. . .
He sank so loud, he sang so shrill
That he charmed the heart of the lady.
Rum diddle um diddle um,
Rum diddle um dum tu riddle aye,
Rum dum do dum di do.
2. "Come go with me, my pretty fair maid,
Come go with me, my honey,
I swear by the sword that hangs by my side
You never shall want for money."
3. "I'll take off my high-heeled shoes,
They're made of Spanish leather,
I'll put on my low-heeled shoes
And we will ride together."
4. "Will you forsake your house and land?
Will you forsake your baby ?
Will you forsake your own married lord
And follow the Gypsy Davy?"
5. "Yes, I'll forsake my house and land,
And I'll forsake my baby,
And I'll forsake my own married lord
To follow the Gypsy Davy."
6. Next day her husband came to the farm
Inquiring for his lady.
The servant girls all cried out,
"She's gone with the Gypsy Davy."
7. "Go saddle up my old gray horse,
The brown is not so speedy.
I've rode all day and I'll ride all night
Till I overtake my lady."
8. He rode till he came to the river side,
Where the water was deep and muddy;
Then the tears came to his eyes,
There he saw his lady.
9. "Last night I slept on a feather bed,
With a blanket all around me;
Tonight I'll lie on the cold, cold ground,
With the wolves howling round me."