The Raggle Taggle Gypsy lyrics
The Irish DescendantsThere were three old gypsies came to our hall door
They came brave and bold-ly-oh
And there's one sang high and the other sang low
And the lady sang the Raggle Taggle Gypsy-oh
It was upstairs and downstairs the Lady went
Put on her suit of leather-oh
It was the cry all around the door
She's away with the Raggle Taggle Gypsy-oh
It was late that night when the Lord came in
Inquiring for his Lady-oh
The servant girl she replied to the Lord
She's away with the Raggle Taggle Gypsy-oh
Oh then saddle for me
Me milk-white steed
Me big horse is not speedy-oh
Tonight I'll ride to the wide open field
And it's there that I'll spy my Lady-oh
So he rode east
He rode west
He rode North and south also
It was when he rode to the wide open field
It was there that he spied his Lady-oh
Oh why did you leave your house and your land
Why did you leave your money-oh
And why did you leave your only wedded Lord
To be off with the Raggle Taggle Gypsy-oh
What do I care for me house and me land
What do I care for money-oh
And what do I care for me only wedded Lord
I'm away with the Raggle Taggle Gyspy-oh
Last night you slept in a goose-feather bed
The blankets drawn so comely-oh
Tonight you'll lie in the wide open field
In the arms of the Raggle Taggle Gypsy-oh
You're a - What do I care for a goose-feather be
What do I care for blankets-oh
And you're a - What do I care for me only wedded Lord
I'm away with the Raggle Taggle Gypsy-oh
So he rode east
She rode west
He rode high and I rode low
Well I'd rather have a kiss of a yellow Gypsy's lips
Than all of your cash and your money-oh
There were three old gypsies came to our hall door
They came brave and bold-ly-oh
And there's one sang high and the other sang low
And the lady sang the Raggle Taggle Gypsy-oh
Song Details
Music: Traditional
Song: The Raggle Taggle Gypsy has many titles along with many variations including, 'The Gypsy Laddie', and 'Black Jack Davy'.
Brief: It is a border ballad which refers to the collection of ballads written and collected around the English Scottish border as far back as the 18th century. The song was collected in the latter part of the 19th century by American folklorist - Francis James Child... now referred to as the Child Ballads.
In this version of the song, a gypsy charms the wife of a squire who subsequently leaves her home and riches to be with her gypsy. When the Lord comes home and finds her gone, he saddles up his horse and follows her. When he finds her, he pleads with her to come home where she has all the fine things life has to offer. Instead, she prefers to sleep on the cold hard ground and be with her Raggle Taggle Gypsy.
Category: Traditional Folk
Covers: The Waterboys, Celtic Thunder, Planxty, Rapalje, The Chieftans & Nickel Creek, Mad Dog Mcrea, Christy Moore...
Album So Far So Good - The Best of The Irish Descendants (June 26, 2007)
The Irish Descendants
The Irish Descendants are a folk group from Canada taking in the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador. All members are of Irish heritage, and worked in the Newfoundland fishing industry prior to forming the band in 1990. The band name came about because all members were previously from former Newfoundland bands called 'The Descendants' and 'Irish Coffee', hence the name 'The Irish Descendants'. The band became very popular in the 1990's and helped to popularize traditional Newfoundland music throughout Canada. Their popularity led them to become the official band for the 500th anniversary celebrations of the province.
The band has changed members frequently since the 1990's, and the only original member is Con O'Brien who sings and plays guitar. They still tour regularly and release the occasional album, the last one being in 2007, called 'Southern Shore'.
