The Gypsies- Henry White (NL) 1929 Greenleaf B
[From: Ballads and Sea-Songs of Newfoundland- Page 38 by Elizabeth Bristol Greenleaf, Grace Yarrow Mansfield - 1933. Notes by Kittredge follow.
R. Matteson 2012]
For American references see Campbell and Sharp, No. 27; Cox, No. 21; Davis, No. 37; Barry, Eckstorm, and Smyth, pp. 269-277, Hudson, No. 18; Sandburg, p. 311. Victoria White's tune is entirely different from that published by Campbell and Sharp, but will be found very sweet and haunting. Cf. Keith, No. 60.
THE GYPSIES- Recited by Henry Albert White, Sandy Cove, 1929.
1 He rided over high, high hills
Until he came up with his lady, O.
"Will you come back, my fair pretty maid?
Will you come back, my honey, O?"
"I rather have a kiss from those gypsies' rosy lips,
Than I would all your houses and money, 0."
2 "Will you forsake your houses and land,
Your husband and your baby, too?
Will you forsake your lord's broad sword
And follow three gypsy laddies, O?"
3 "I will forsake my houses and land,
My husband and my baby, too;
1 will forsake my lord's broad sword
And follow three gypsy laddies, O."
4 "Last night I lied on a fine feather bed,
With my husband and my baby, O,
But to-night I must lie on the cold barn floor,
In the arms of a gypsy laddy O."