The Gipsey Davy- Peponn (MA) c.1845 Child J a
[From: The English and Scottish Popular Ballads by Francis James Child; Volume 7: Ballads 189-225; published December 1890. "
R. Matteson 2012]
'The Gipsey Davy'- Version J a; Child 200, The Gypsy Laddie
a. Written down by Newton Peponn, as learned from a boy with whom he went to school in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, about 1845.
1 There was a gip came oer the land,
He sung so sweet and gaily;
He sung with glee, neath the wild wood tree,
He charmed the great lord's lady.
CHORUS: Ring a ding a ding go ding go da,
Ring a ding a ding go da dy,
Ring a ding a ding go ding go da,
She's gone with the gipsey Davy.
2 The lord he came home late that night;
Enquiring for his lady,
'She's gone, she's gone,' said his old servantman,
'She's gone with the gipsey Davy.'
3 'Go saddle me my best black mare;
The grey is neer so speedy;
For I'll ride all night, and I'll ride all day,
Till I overtake my lady.'
4 Riding by the river-side,
The grass was wet and dewy;
Seated with her gipsey lad,
It's there he spied his lady.
5 'Would you forsake your house and home?
Would you forsake your baby?
Would you forsake your own true love,
And go with the gipsey Davy?'
6 'Yes, I'll forsake my house and home,
Yes, I'll forsake my baby;
What care I for my true love?
I love the gipsey Davy.'
7 The great lord he rode home that night,
He took good care of his baby,
And ere six months had passed away
He married another lady.