Lyr Add: In the Days We Went a-Gypsying

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Lyr Add: In the Days We Went a-Gypsying

19 Dec 08 - 04:33 PM (#2520106)
Subject: Lyr Add: IN THE DAYS WE WENT A-GYPSYING
From: Jim Dixon

This song was once so commonly known its tune was used for several other songs. The tune was also used as the regimental quick march of the North Staffordshire Regiment (but usually spelled GIPSYING).

The following lyrics were copied from the web site of the Wiltshire County Council, because a folk version was collected in Wiltshire.

IN THE DAYS WE WENT A-GYPSYING (Roud No. 1245)

1. In the days we went a-gypsying, a long time ago,
The lads and lasses in their best were dressed from top to toe.
We danced and sang the jocund song upon the forest green,
And nought but mirth and jollity around us could be seen.

CHORUS: And thus we passed the merry time, nor thought of care or woe,
In the days we went a-gypsying, a long time ago.

2. Our hearts were light; our eyes were bright; all nature's face was gay.
The trees their leafy branches spread and perfume filled the may.
'Twas there we heard the cuckoo's note steal softly through the air,
While every scene around us looked most beautiful and fair.

3. We filled a glass to every lass, and all our friends so dear,
And wished them many happy days, and many a happy year.
We gave the king, with all our hearts, and may his subjects be
A nation's pride, all lands beside, and glory of the sea!

19 Dec 08 - 04:47 PM (#2520116)
Subject: Lyr Add: IN THE DAYS WHEN WE WENT GIPSYING
From: Jim Dixon

From the sheet music at the Library of Congress:

IN THE DAYS WHEN WE WENT GIPSYING
Melody by J. N. Sporle. Arr. Joseph Philip Knight.
New York: Davis and Horn, 1839.

1. In the days when we went gipsying, a long while ago,
The lads and lasses in their best were dressed from top to toe.
We danced and sang the jocund song upon the forest green,
And nought but mirth and jollity around us could be seen.

CHORUS: And thus we passed the pleasant time, nor thought of care or woe,
In the days when we went gipsying, a long while ago,
In the days when we went gipsying, a long while ago.

2. All hearts were light and eyes were bright, while nature's face was gay.
The trees their leafy branches spread and perfume filled the May.
'Twas there we heard the cuckoo's note steal softly through the air,
While every scene around us looked most beautiful and fair.

3. We filled a glass to every lass, and all our friends most dear,
And wished them many happy days, and many a happy year.
To friends away we turned our thoughts with feelings kind and free,
And oh! we wished them with us there beneath the forest tree.

Click to play

19 Dec 08 - 07:38 PM (#2520243)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: In the Days We Went a-Gypsying
From: Jim Dixon

These songs, posted in other Mudcat threads, are marked "Tune: 'The Days We Went a-Gipsying'" (or words to that effect):

THE PITMAN'S HAPPY TIMES (before 1849)

THE DANDYLION CLOCK (Alexander Hay, 1879)

THE ENGLISH NAVVY (before 1885)

I also found these songs in old songbooks, with the same notation:

WELCOME TO A VISITING BROTHER in "Masonic Melodies" By Thomas Power, 1844

THE DAYS WE WENT TO SIGN THE PLEDGE by E. P. Hood, in "The Book of Temperance Melody," 1850.

SONG OF THE OLDBRIDGE LODGE, 597, in "The Orange Melodist" By William Archer, 1852.

THE LAY OF THE LOVER'S FRIEND by William E. Aytoun, in "Firmilian: A 'Spasmodic' Tragedy", 1867.

THE BOYS THAT SAVED THE UNION in "Buchanan's conspiracy, the Nicaragua canal and reciprocity" By Patrick Cudmore, 1892.

IN THE DAY JOHN WENT A MARRYING, in "Norman: A Legend of Mull," by Robert C. M'Fee, 1893.

WANDERING WILLIE'S WISH in "Lyra Cyclus; Or, The Bards and the Bicycle" By Edmond Redmond, 1896.

...and lots of others.

"Familiar Quotations" By John Bartlett, gives the following:

21 Dec 08 - 06:19 AM (#2521217)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: In the Days We Went a-Gypsying
From: Matthew Edwards

Thanks Jim for adding this song, which must have been a popular 'hit' from the 1830's. It was probably ignored by collectors for not being a 'real' folk song, although Cecil Sharp did note a verse and tune from Mrs Lock of Muchelney Ham, Somerset in 1904. Alfred Willams seems to have noted down everything people sang for him so that his collection appears to be a good record of the songs which people actually sang.

The song also appears in the novel A Shiny Night, by Beatrice Tunstall set in 19th century Cheshire. This novel has long been out of print but is well worth searching for; it tells the story of Seth Stone who returns to his native Cheshire village after serving a sentence as a transport to Australia for killing a gamekeeper. The novel contains snatches of other songs as well as details of lot of folk customs such as souling and hoisting and descriptions of dances and music; its also a very good read!
Matthew