The Gypsy Rover
(a.k.a. "The Whistling Gypsy", "Gypsy
Laddie", "Johnny Faa", "Gypsy Davy", "Down By The
Clydee" and others)
Words & Music:
Traditional
The original song dates
from the 1600s in Scotland and was set to the then widely known tune "Lady
Cassillis' Lilt". There are
easily a dozen versions of this song circulating, including a modernized
version for 20th century Aussies by Alan Foster. Note that "The Wraggle, Taggle
Gypsies, O!" is a different song.
The most common modern version is Leo Maguire's adaptation.
G
C
G
Em D
The gypsy rover came over the
hill, down through the valley so shady,
G
Em
G
C G C G
He whistled and he sang 'til
the greenwoods rang, and he won the heart of a la--dy.
Chorus:
G
C G
Em D
Ah-de-do, ah-de-do-da-day,
ah-de-do, ah-de-da-ay
G
Em
G
C G C G
He whistled and he sang 'til
the greenwoods rang, and he won the heart of a la--dy.
She left her father's castle
gates, she left her own fine lover
She left her servants and her
state to follow the gypsy rover.
CHORUS:
Her father saddled up his
fastest steed and roamed the valleys all over
Sought his daughter at great
speed and the whistling gypsy rover.
CHORUS:
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.
CHORUS:
"He is no gypsy, my
father" she said, "but lord of these lands all over,
And I shall stay 'til my dying
day with my whistling gypsy rover."
CHORUS: