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about

From the singing of LaRena Clark, in Edith Fowke, A Family Heritage, p 33.

This is an unusual form of a very common old ballad (Child 200). Many of the American variants have a happy ending for the lady and the gypsy, but this one is more like the Scottish variants, with the addition of killing the wife as well as the gypsy.

I know that some folks have stopped singing songs that use the word, “gypsy.” I choose to sing this song because it reflects the usage of the time. I wouldn’t call anyone by that name now, but I refuse to discard an excellent song because it uses language we no longer find acceptable.

lyrics

Gypsy Davy

A Gypsy Davy came to town
Riding on a pony
He whistled while he sang and the green woods rang
And he won the heart of a lady.

Fal the dal da, fal the dee die doh
Fal the dal da doh day dee
He whistled while he sang and the green woods rang
And he won the heart of a lady.

The lady to her window came
Her servants all behind her
She listened while he sang and the green woods rang
And he won the heart of a lady.
Fal the dal da, …

Her lord came home in the middle of the night
Returning to his lady
But she had gone with the cold, cold dawn
Had gone with the Gypsy Davy.
Fal the dal da, …

“Harness up my milk white steed
The brown is not so speedy
I’ll ride all day and I’ll ride all night
’Til I overtake my lady.”
Fal the dal da, …

So he rode east and he rode west
He swore that he would find her
And by his side she then would ride
And a thousand cords would bind her.
Fal the dal da, …

So he rode east and he rode west
He rode ’til he found his lady
His sword he drew, his wife he slew
Before the Gypsy Davy.
Fal the dal da, …

Last night I slept on a feather bed
With servants all around me
Tonight I’ll die on the cold, cold ground
Beside the Gypsy Davy.
Fal the dal da, …

credits

from Safe & Sound: Traditional Canadian Folk Songs, released April 1, 2022
Maura Volante, vocals
Ernie Fraser, guitar
Ann Downey, vocals
Fern Vale, vocals
James Stephens, vocals

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Maura Volante Ottawa, Ontario

Maura Volante is a singer of traditional folk songs, with a focus on those collected in Canada. She discovered folk music in the 1960s and has deepened her understanding over the decades. Maura has performed at festivals, coffee houses, concerts and living rooms all over Canada (and worldwide on Zoom), as well as passing on her knowledge and enthusiasm through workshops, courses and lessons. ... more

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