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18 Jun 09 - 02:40 AM (#2659164) Subject: Lyr Req: The Gypsy Fiddler From: GUEST,Bruce Michael Baillie Does anyone have the lyrics to a song Johnny Collins recorded on his album 'Johnny's Private Army' I believe it was called 'The Gypsy Fiddler'. I used to have the album but sold it to a Norwegian collector some years ago and never wrote the words down while I had it. I've had a look on Mudcat but it doesn't seem to be in there. I doubt it was traditional and would like to know who wrote it. As far as I can remember the song is about a farmer who asks a gypsy to play at his daughters wedding, then refuses to pay him, so the gypsy takes a witty revenge. It was a damned good album that one, pity I sold the bugger! |
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18 Jun 09 - 02:48 AM (#2659169) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Gypsy Fiddler From: Peace It is spelled "Gipsy Fiddler" and it's on "Best of the Early Years." |
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18 Jun 09 - 02:50 AM (#2659170) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Gypsy Fiddler From: Peace "The BOTEY" I should have written. |
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18 Jun 09 - 09:55 AM (#2659358) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Gypsy Fiddler From: GUEST,leeneia It's not just farmers in folk songs who stiff the musician. I know a harpist who tells the father of the bride "I'll start playing when I have the check." She says her policy is based on sad experience. I'd like to know what the gypsy's revenge was so I can tell my friends. |
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19 Jun 09 - 08:46 AM (#2660133) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Gypsy Fiddler From: Sugwash Nah then Mr Baillie The Gipsy Fiddler was written by Fred Rooke, a Norfolk pigman. I'll transcribe the words for you after the weekend, I'm away in deepest Dorset until Sunday evening. |
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19 Jun 09 - 08:55 AM (#2660137) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Gypsy Fiddler From: Sugwash refresh |
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19 Jun 09 - 05:24 PM (#2660478) Subject: Lyr Add: GIPSY FIDDLER (Fred Rooke) From: Peace GIPSY FIDDLER Written by Fred Rooke "Gipsy fiddler, will you play For me daughter's wedding day?" "Aye, Farmer. I will play, But what shall be me pay?" "I will give you a good fat lamb, As an honest man I am, if you will play If you'll play, With your fiddle-i-diddle-i-fiddle-i-day, For me daughter's wedding day." "Well," the gipsy fiddler spat, "And what on top of that?" "Then, gipsy fiddler, I will give you a fleece-lined hat On top of a one fat lamb, As an honest man I am, if you will play, If you'll play, With your fiddle-i-diddle-i-fiddle-i-day, For me daughter's wedding day." Said the gipsy with a grin, "And what will you throw in?" "Some strings, gipsy fiddler, Of the gut for your violin, Thrown in with the hat and the lamb, As an honest man I am, if you will play, If you'll play, With your fiddle-i-diddle-i-diddle-i-day, For me daughter's wedding day." So the gipsy fiddler played. With the lamb he was then paid. "And where is my fleecy hat And the strings of the gut?" he said. "Wound into the top of the lamb, As an honest man I am, now you have played, Now you've played, With your fiddle-i-diddle-i-diddle-i-day, For me daughter's wedding day." "Now your daughters will be full, As often as the mule Or as the heifer, The sister to the bull. You have tricked me with that lamb. As an honest man I am, now I have played, I have played, With my fiddle-i-diddle-i-diddle-i-day, For your daughter's wedding day." And the gipsy kept away Till a bitter winter's day When the lambs were seeking shelter A-burrowing in the hay. Here comes the fiddler man. "As an honest man I am, who once did play, Once did play, With my fiddle-i-diddle-i-diddle-i-day, For your daughter's wedding day— "Mr Farmer, give me some hay 'Fore me nanny goat wastes away For want of grass On this bitter snowy day." "Take an 'andful big as you can, As an honest man I am, you once did play, Once did play, With your fiddle-i-diddle-i-diddle-i-day, On me daughter's wedding day." So the gipsy dug in deep Where he saw a lamb asleep. "Stop!" said the farmer. "You're stealin' of me sheep! You shall not take that lamb, As an honest man I am, though you once did play, Once did play, With your fiddle-i-diddle-i-diddle-i-day, For me daughter's wedding day." "Mr Farmer, but it lay Included in the hay Just as the fleecy hat And the strings in the gut of me pay." "Then you shall take that lamb, As an honest man I am, and you shall play, You shall play, With your fiddle-i-diddle-i-diddle-i-day, For me next daughter's wedding day." Sugwash: this may need corrections, but there's the basics (thanks to Rumanci). |