Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
The Earl o Cassillis Lady / The Rovin Ploughboy / The Gypsy Davy / Gypsy Davey / Black Jack David / The Dark Eyed Gypsies / Raggle Taggle Gypsies / Seven Yellow Gypsies / The Gypsy Laddie (Child No. 200) - Sung by Katie Johnston, a Traveller at Montrose, Angus, Scotland. Recorded by Dr. Linda Williamson on September 10, 1976.
The original recording can be listened to here:
tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/76951?l=en
Linda Williamson's thesis on Scottish Traveller singing can be read here, it is well worth your time if you are interested in Cathie MacQueen's song repertoire: era.ed.ac.uk/handle/1842/8223
Note by Kevin W.:
Katie Johnston may have learned this in Ireland. That's just speculation on my part but the words and tune are much like those sung by Irish Traveller John "Jacko" Reilly of Boyle, County Roscommon, Ireland in 1967 which can be heard here:
youtube.com/watch?v=2INLyNEPcpg
Song transcription:
Three Gypsies came to the Earl's castle gate
They sang so high they sang so low
They sang so high that the maid might cry
And away with the Raggle Taggle Gypsies-o
Last night you slept in a soft feather bed
Along with your love and your land my dear
But tonight you'll sleep in a cold open field
Along with the Raggle Taggle Gypsies-o
What care have I for your houses and land
What care have I for your soft feather bed
What care have I for your houses and land
I am off with the Raggle Taggle Gypsies-o
The Earl o Cassillis Lady / The Rovin Ploughboy / The Gypsy Davy / Gypsy Davey / Black Jack David / The Dark Eyed Gypsies / Raggle Taggle Gypsies / Seven Yellow Gypsies / The Gypsy Laddie (Child No. 200) - Sung by Katie Johnston, a Traveller at Montrose, Angus, Scotland. Recorded by Dr. Linda Williamson on September 10, 1976.
The original recording can be listened to here:
tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/76951?l=en
Linda Williamson's thesis on Scottish Traveller singing can be read here, it is well worth your time if you are interested in Cathie MacQueen's song repertoire: era.ed.ac.uk/handle/1842/8223
Note by Kevin W.:
Katie Johnston may have learned this in Ireland. That's just speculation on my part but the words and tune are much like those sung by Irish Traveller John "Jacko" Reilly of Boyle, County Roscommon, Ireland in 1967 which can be heard here:
youtube.com/watch?v=2INLyNEPcpg
Song transcription:
Three Gypsies came to the Earl's castle gate
They sang so high they sang so low
They sang so high that the maid might cry
And away with the Raggle Taggle Gypsies-o
Last night you slept in a soft feather bed
Along with your love and your land my dear
But tonight you'll sleep in a cold open field
Along with the Raggle Taggle Gypsies-o
What care have I for your houses and land
What care have I for your soft feather bed
What care have I for your houses and land
I am off with the Raggle Taggle Gypsies-o
