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Anonymous

The Raggle, Taggle Gypsies

There were three gypsies a-come to my door,

And downstairs ran this lady, O.

One sang high and another sang low,

And the other sang "Bonnie, Bonnie Biskay, O."


Then she pulled off her silken gown,

And put on hose of leather, O.

With the ragged, ragged rags about her door

She's off with the Raggle, Taggle Gypsies, O.


'T was late last night when my lord came home,

Inquiring for his lady, O.

The servants said on every hand,

"She's gone with the Raggle, Taggle Gypsies, O."


"Oh, saddle for me my milk-white steed,

Oh, saddle for me my pony, O,

That I may ride and seek my bride

Who's gone with the Raggle, Taggle Gypsies, O."


Oh, he rode high and he rode low,

He rode through woods and copses, O,

Until he came to an open field,

And there he espied his lady, O.


"What makes you leave your house and lands?

What makes you leave your money, O?

What makes you leave your new-wedded lord

To go with the Raggle, Taggle Gypsies, O?"


"What care I for my house and lands?

What care I for my money, O,

What care I for my new-wedded lord?

I'm off with the Raggle, Taggle Gypsies, O."


"Last night you slept on a goose-feather bed,

With the sheet turned down so bravely, O.

To-night you will sleep in the cold, open field,

Along with the Raggle, Taggle Gypsies, O."


"What care I for your goose-feather bed,

With the sheet turned down so bravely, O?

For to-night I shall sleep in a cold, open field,

Along with the Raggle, Taggle Gypsies, O."