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a. Written down by Newton Pepoun, as learned from a boy with whom he went to school in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, about 1845. b. From the singing of Mrs Farmer, born in Maine, as learned by her daughter, about 1840.
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.
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 servant-man,
‘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.