I believe this ("some say he's black") means that he's a Gypsy--a Traveler.

I've been kvetched at by the occasional ignoramus who thinks "black" refers to "Negro" and that somehow the song is insulting to "blacks."

As Pogo Possum used to say, "Ridicle dockle!!"

Good movie, by the way. I recall seeing it back in prehistoric times.

Don Firth