The Gypsy Laddie

The gypsies came to our good lord's castle gates,

And O! but they sang sweetly, O!

They sang so sweet and complete

That down came our fair lady, O!

They gave to her the nutmeg brown,

They gave the finest ginger.

The gypsies saw her well-fared face,

And cast their glamour over her.

'Go take from me this silver cloak

And bring to me a plaidie.

I will forget my kith and kin,

And follow the gypsy laddie.

Last night I lay on a feather bed,

My wedded lord beside me;

Tonight I lie with stars and moon and sky;

Ah! Whatever shall betide me!'

(Epilogue: The Lady leaves with the gypsies, and the Lord returns..)

'Go, saddle to me the black' he said,

'The brown rides never so speedy:

And I will neither eat nor drink nor sleep,

Till I avenge my lady'.

There were fifteen valiant gypsies,

They were black, O! but they were bonny.

They are all to be hanged on a tree

For stealing our good lord's lady.