GYPSY DAVEY
(as sung by Bill Briggs)
(music calligraphy by miriam berg)
Black Jack Davey came a-ridin' through the woods
And he sang a song so gaily,
He sang so loud he made the wildwoods ring,
And he charmed the heart of a lady.
It was late at night that the lord came home,
Inquiring for his lady,
The servant spoke before he thought,
She's gone with the Gypsy Davey.
Go saddle to me the milkwhite steed,
The gray one's not so speedy,
I'll ride all day and I'll ride all night
Till I overtake my lady.
He rode all night and he rode all day
Till he came to the woods so shady,
He rode all day and he rode all night
Until he found the Black Jack Davey.
Won't you come home, my dearest dear,
Won't you come home, my honey?
I'll give to you my mansion fine
And all of my money.
I won't come home, my dearest dear,
I won't come home, my honey.
I'd rather have a kiss from the gypsy's lips
Than you and all your money.
Won't you take off those buckskin gloves
All made of Spanish leather,
And give to me your lilywhite hand,
And we'll ride home together.
I'll give you back your buckskin gloves
All made of Spanish leather,
And let you touch my lilywhite hand,
And bid farewell forever.
(from miriam berg's folksong collection)