Lyr Req: Gypsy Davy (Doc and Richard Watson)

Subject: Lyr Add: GYPSY DAVIE (from Doc & Merle Watson)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 30 Jul 10 - 02:04 PM

I don't think this particular version has been documented at Mudcat before. Here's my transcription from the YouTube video:


GYPSY DAVIE
Arr. & Adapt. by M. Watson/K. Lauber, Hillgreen Music BMI

1. Oh, the Gypsy Davie came a-ridin' along, singin' so loud and gaily.
With his old guitar and a lusty song, he charmed the heart of a lady,
The heart of a pretty little lady.

2. "How old are you, my pretty little miss? How old are you, my lady?"
"Come next week. I'll be sixteen. I've a husband and a baby,
A man and a pretty little baby."

3. "Oh, would you leave your house and land, your husband and your baby?
Would you leave them all behind to go with the Gypsy Davie,
Ride along with the Gypsy Davie?"

4. She dressed in silks and rings of gold and shoes of Spanish leather,
Then she got on a pony fine and they rode off together,
And they rode off together.

5. That night when the man of the house came home, asking for his lady,
Well, the only answer that he got: "She's gone with the Gypsy Davie,
Rode away with the Gypsy Davie."

6. He called for his boots and he called for his hat, his pistol, and his saddle,
Then he sprang on his very best horse and after them did travel,
And after them did travel.

[Instrumental break]

7. When he saw the man who'd wronged him so, his wrath was hotly kindled,
Then he thought of his lady's tender love, and his anger slowly dwindled,
His anger slowly dwindled.

8. "Oh, would you leave your house and land, your true love and your baby?
Oh, would you leave us all behind to go with the Gypsy Davie,
With the likes of the Gypsy Davie?"

9. "I care not for your house and land, and you can have my baby.
Yes, I'll leave you all behind to go with the Gypsy Davie,
For I love this Gypsy Davie."

10. When the silks and the gold and the rings were gone, old Davie would not tarry.
He says, "You're not a Gypsy girl and you I cannot marry,
You I cannot marry."

11. As a beggar now she's dressed in rags. In her heart, she's still a lady.
Tonight she'll cry herself to sleep thinkin' about her baby,
True love and her baby.

[From Doc & Merle Watson, "Look Away!" United Artists, UA-LA887-H, 1979.]


I haven't heard the complete recording of GYPSY DAVEY [sic] from Doc & Richard Watson's "Third Generation Blues," but I listened to a sample at Allmusic.com which includes the first 2 verses. The words are exactly the same as those above.]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Doc and Richard Watson's -'Gypsy Davy'
From: pkferret
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 04:21 PM

Oh, so no one has a written out copy? OK. My band does Whistling Gypsy and I wanted to show them the difference between Doc's version and the Irish version.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Doc and Richard Watson's -'Gypsy Davy'
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 03:45 PM

The version by Doc and Merle off "Look Away" can be heard Here and the lyrics can be heard very distinctly.

I assume that the words wouldn't be radically different from those on "Third Generation Blues" ?

Subject: Lyr Req: Doc and Richard Watson's -'Gypsy Davy'
From: pkferret
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 10:13 AM

Does anyone have the Gypsy Davey lyrics that Doc Watson uses on Third Generation Blues album. They seem to differe slightly from the Arlo Guthrie Version.