For I'm a gypsy rover, love, and you'll not come with me

[rolanni]

Can anyone recommend a good non-fiction book on the history/tradition/culture of gypsies?

Comments

I'm a gypsy rover, love, and you'll not come with me.

[kimuro.livejournal.com]

http://bordellisonori.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!C47F822C0A87D6A9!148.entry

GO HOME GIRL

You say that you're in love with me, listen to what I say.
you're too young to come with me, I must be on me way.
And stop your silly crying now, how can i make you see
That I'm a gypsy rover, love, and you'll not come with me.
Go home, girl, go home, go home

And I met you at the market, when your mum was not with you
You like me long brown ringlets and me handkerchief of blue
And although I'm very fond of you, you asked me home for tea
but I'm a gypsy rover, love, and you'll not come with me.

And your brother is a peeller, and would lock me up in the jail
if he knew I was a poacher and I hunt your lord's best quail
Well your daddy is a gentle man, and your mammy just as grand
But I'm a gypsy rover, love and I'll not be your man

Now the hour's drawing on my love, your mum's expecting thee
Don't tell her that you met me here, or I'm a gypsy free
And let's get off me jacket now, your love will have to wait
For I am twenty-two years old, and you, you're only eight

Re: I'm a gypsy rover, love, and you'll not come with me.

[djonn]

Huh. That's fascinating; it's definitely the same root song -- and yet the version I know has some very marked differences, including a completely different (and contradictory) final verse:

"I watch her walk away from me, a teardrop in her eye,
A little girl just eight years old, can't really understand why;
She's my little daughter, and her mommy oh so fine
Once traveled in my caravan; she was a love of mine."