Probably the best known variation of "The Gypsy Laddie", also known as "The Raggle Taggle Gypsies", "Clayton Boone", "Johnny Faa", "The Lady and the Gypsy", "Harrison Brady", "The Heartless Lady" and "Seven Yeller Gypsies," and so on.
This version is especially popular in America, having been passed down from Woody Guthrie to Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan. It was also recorded by The Carter Family, and, later, The New Lost City Ramblers, as "Black Jack David."
Other recordings of "Black Jack Davey" include Barbara Dane, Arlo Guthrie, Steeleye Span and The Incredible String Band, though Mile Heron wrote new lyrics.
A watered-down sentimentalised version, where the gypsy turns out to be a rich lord, was recorded by The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem ("The Whistling Gypsy") and The Highwaymen ("The Gypsy Rover"). Of course the girl in this case does not leave a husband, but merely her father.
The version I sing here, if I remember rightly, is from a book of Peggy Seeger's songs, though obviously it is very differentl from the way she sings it.
Rating: User: raymondcrooke 2007-08-03T14:38:02.25Z
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folk | song | ballad | love | dylan | guthrie | seeger | raggle | taggle | gypsy | whistling | rover |