I
From Miss Margaret Reburn, “as sung in County Meath, Ireland, about 1860.”
1
There come seven gypsies on a day,
Oh, but they sang bonny! O
And they sang so sweet, and they sang so clear,
Down cam the earl’s ladie. O
2
They gave to her the nutmeg,
And they gave to her the ginger;
But she gave to them a far better thing,
The seven gold rings off her fingers.
3
When the earl he did come home,
Enquiring for his ladie,
One of the servants made this reply,
‘She’s awa with the gypsie lad[d]ie.’
4
‘Come saddle for me the brown,’ he said,
‘For the black was neer so speedy,
And I will travel night and day
Till I find out my ladie.
5
‘Will you come home, my dear?’ he said,
‘Oh will you come home, my honey?
And, by the point of my broad sword,
A hand I’ll neer lay on you.’
6
‘Last night I lay on a good feather-bed,
And my own wedded lord beside me,
And tonight I’ll lie in the ash-corner,
With the gypsies all around me.
7
‘They took off my high-heeled shoes,
That were made of Spanish leather,
And I have put on coarse Lowland brogues,
To trip it oer the heather.’
8
‘The Earl of Cashan is lying sick;
Not one hair I’m sorry;
I’d rather have a kiss from his fair lady’s lips
Than all his gold and his money.’