Classic Poem

There was seven gypsies all in a gang,
They were brisk and bonny; O
They rode till they came to the Earl of Castle's house,
And there they sang most sweetly. O

The Earl of Castle's lady came down,
With the waiting-maid beside her;
As soon as her fair face they saw,
They called their grandmother over.

They gave to her a nutmeg brown,
And a race of the best ginger;
She gave to them a far better thing,
'T was the ring from off her finger.

She pulld off her high-heeld shoes,
They was made of Spanish leather;
She put on her highland brog[u]es,
To follow the gypsey loddy.

At night when my good lord came home,
Enquiring for his lady,
The waiting-maid made this reply,
" She 's following the gypsey loddy."

" Come saddle me my milk-white steed,
Come saddle it so bonny,
As I may go seek my own wedded wife,
That 's following the gypsey loddy.

" Have you been east? have you been west?
Or have you been brisk and bonny?
Or have you seen a gay lady,
A following the gypsey loddy?"

He rode all that summer's night,
And part of the next morning;
At length he spy'd his own wedded wife,
She was cold, wet, and weary.

" Why did you leave your houses and land?
Or why did you leave your money?
Or why did you leave your good wedded lord,
To follow the gypsey loddy?"

" O what care I for houses and land?
Or what care I for money?
So as I have brewd, so will I return;
So fare you well, my honey!"

There was seven gypsies in a gang,
And they was brisk and bonny,
And they 're to be hanged all on a row,
For the Earl of Castle's lady.