Text & Melody: Trad.
Listen: https://youtu.be/yujRa-ZRtzk
There were three old gypsies came to our hall door
They came brave and boldly-o
One sang high and the other sang low
And the lady sang the raggle taggle gypsy-o
It was upstairs and downstairs the lady went
Put on her suit of leather-o
T’was a cry all around the door
She’s away wi’ the raggle taggle gypsy-o
It was late that night when the lord came in
Inquiring for his lady-o
The servant girl replied to her Lord
She’s away wi’ the raggle taggle gypsy-o
Oh, then saddle for me my milk white steed
My big horse is not speedy-o
I will ride and I’ll seek me bride
She’s away wi’ the raggle taggle gypsy-o
Then he rode east and he rode west
He rode north and south also
But when he rode to the wide open fields
It was there that he spied his lady-o
“Arra, why did you leave your house and your land,
Why did you leave your money-o?
Why did you leave your only wedded lord
All for the raggle taggle gypsy-o?”
“Yerra what do I care for me house and me land?
What do I care for money-o?
What do I care for me only wedded lord?
I’m away with the raggle taggle gypsy-o”
“It was there last night you’d a goose feather bed,
Blankets drawn so comely-o.
But tonight you lie in a wide open field
In the arms of the raggle taggle gypsy-o”
“Yerra, what do I care for me goose feather bed?
Yerra, what do I care for blankets-o?
What do I care for me only wedded lord?
I’m away with the raggle taggle gypsy-o”
“Oh, for you rode east when I rode west,
You rode high and I rode low.
I’d rather have a kiss of the yellow gypsy’s lips
Than all the cash and money-o”