There were three old gypsies came to our hall door
They came brave and boldly-o
One sang high and the other sang low
and the other sang a raggle taggle gypsy-o

It was upstairs downstairs the lady went
put on her suit of leather-o
and there was a cry from around the door
She's away with the raggle taggle gypsy-o

It was late that night when the Lord came in
enquiring for his lady-o
The servant girl she says to the Lord
"She's away with the raggle taggle gypsy-o"

"Then saddle for me my mild white steed
- my big horse is not speedy-o
And I will ride and seek my bride
She's away with the raggle taggle gypsy-o"

Now he rode East and he rode West
He rode North and South also
until he came to a wide open plain
It was there that he spied his lady-o

"How could you leave your goose feather bed
with blankets strewn so comely-o?
How could you leave your only wedded Lord
all for a raggle taggle gypsy-o?"

"Well, what care I for my goose feather bed
with blankets strewn so comely-o?
Tonight I lie in a wide open field
in the arms of a raggle taggle gypsy-o"

"How could you leave your house and your land?
How could you leave your money-o?
How could you leave your only wedded Lord
all for a raggle taggle gypsy-o?"

"Well, what care I for my house and my land?
What care I for my money-o?
I'd rather have a kiss from the yellow gypsy's lips
I'm away with the raggle taggle gypsy-o!"


(c) Folkaholics (traditional)