The Whistling Gypsy

The Whistling Gypsy, sometimes known simply as The Gypsy Rover, is a well-known ballad composed by Dublin songwriter, Leo Maguire in about 1950 [http://ingeb.org/songs/thegypsy.html] . It is an imitation of folk song, notably "The Raggle Taggle Gypsy"; see also 'Black Jack Davy' and 'The Gypsy Laddie'.

It was recorded by numerous artists, including The Clancy Brothers, The Kingston Trio, Elton Hayes [ [http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/radio/childrensfav.htm List of Children's Favourites] ] , The Seekers, Carmel Quinn and Glenn Yarbrough.

There are many lyrics, but these are the original ones.CREDIT: http://www.ingeb.org/songs/thegypsy.html

The Gypsy Rover came over the hills,
Down to the valley so shady;
He whistled and he sang
Till the green woods rang,
And he won the heart of a lady.
A dee do a dee do die day,
A dee do a dee day dee
He whistled and he sang
Till the green woods rang,
And he won the heart of a lady.
She left her father's castle gates,
She left her fair young lover;
She left her servants
And her estate
to follow the Gypsy Rover.
A dee do a dee do die day,
A dee do a dee day dee
He whistled and he sang
Till the green woods rang,
And he won the heart of a lady.
Her father mounted up his fastest steed
To search the valleys all over
He sought his daughter
At great speed
And the whistling Gypsy Rover.
A dee do a dee do die day,
A dee do a dee day dee
He whistled and he sang
Till the green woods rang,
And he won the heart of a lady.
He came at last to a mansion fine,
Down by the river Claydee,
And there was music
And there was wine,
For the Gypsy and his lady.
A dee do a dee do die day,
A dee do a dee day dee
He whistled and he sang
Till the green wood rang,
And he won the heart of a lady.
"He is no gypsy, my father." she said.
"But lord of those freelands all over,
And I will stay till my dying day
With my whistling gypsy rover."
A dee do a dee do die day,
A dee do a dee day dee
He whistled and he sang
Till the green woods rang,
And he won the heart of a lady.

References