Gypsy Davy- Prather (NC) 1939 Brown 4G1
[Six stanza (why?) from Brown Collection; Vol. 4 music. Apparently this is attached to the text of G, but the text has been changed. This is another sloppy entry with no explanation- and to the editor(s)- shame on you.
The Gyps of Davy, as in G, seems to be accurate when you compare it to Proffitt's cover of her version. His 2nd version titled "Gyps of David," with banjo, was recorded in 1962.
The "Gyps of David," sung by Frank Proffitt, 1962, begins:
1. Who's that knockin' on the king's highway,
Singin' so gay and haley,
It's that dark and handsome lad,
Known as the gyps of Davy
Known as the gyps of Davy.
However, the 6th stanza is missing.
Nancy Prather according to previous calculations is Frank Proffitt's great Aunt. In many reports she is called Proffitt's aunt but I think it's because he called her Aunt Nancy. She supplied Proffit's famous version of Tom Dooley.
R. Matteson 2015]
G(1) 'Gypsy Laddie.' Sung by Mrs. Nancy Prather. Recorded at Milam, Ashe county, August 5, 1939. Another title given is 'Gypsy Davy.' The steady use of the one-measure pattern throughout is noteworthy.
Scale: Mode III. Tonal Center: c. Structure: aa1bb1 (2,2,2,2) = ab (4,4).