Formed in the mid 1990's, Bluehorses are fronted by co-founder and lead singer Lizzy Prendergast playing electric violin, electric Celtic harp, space-mandolin and synthesizer. The band also comprises Nic Waulker, on drums - co-founder and co-songwriter, Rhayn Jooste on Bass and Jay MacDonald on guitar.
Fusing the passionate intensity of Celtic themes, a heavy rock and roll mindset and stunning improvisations, Bluehorses' music is a genuinely unique hybrid.
Bluehorses have shared stages with bands as diverse as Hawkwind, The Levellers, Tricks Upon Travellers and Oysterband. They have played festivals in nearly every country of Western Europe and Scandinavia.
Bluehorses have received many accolades including a Mojo magazine 'Album of the Month' and a 'Best Of 2005' award from The Classic Rock Society.
The Raggle Taggle Gypsio
Bluehorses Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The servants said on every hand she's gone with the raggle taggle gypsy-o
Oh saddle me my milk white steed, fetch for me my pony-o
That i may go and seek my wife who's gone with the raggle taggle gypsy-o
He rode high, and he rode low, he rode through woods and copses-o
Til he came to a wide open field where he spied his lady-o
Why did you leave your house and your land, why dod you leave your money-o
What care i for my house and land, what care i for my money-o
What care i for my newly wedded lord, im off with the raggle taggle gypsy-o
What care i for my feather bed, the sheets turned down so bravely-o
Tonight I sleep in the open field with my raggle taggle gypsy-o
It was late one night my lord came down demanding of his lady-o
The servants said on every hand she's gone with the raggle taggle gypsy-o
Oh saddle me my milk white steed, fetch for me my pony-o
That i may go and seek my wife who's gone with the raggle taggle gypsy-o
Oh saddle me, oh saddle me, saddle me my pony-o
That i may go and seek my wife thats gone with the raggle taggle gypsy-o
The Raggle Taggle Gypsy is a traditional Irish folk song that tells a story of a lord who discovers that his lady has run away with a group of gypsies. It is a ballad that expresses the allure of a carefree and adventurous lifestyle, at odds with the confinement of society. The lord, in a desperate attempt to reclaim his wife, sets out on horseback to find her, riding through woods and fields. Upon finding her, he questions why she would leave behind everything she had, but she dismisses his concerns and claims that she prefers the freedom of the gypsy life. The song ends with the lord setting out again on his horse in search of his love.
The lyrics of The Raggle Taggle Gypsy, also known as The Gypsy Laddie, have evolved over time and have been adapted by various folk singers. The song has been interpreted as a commentary on the class system and gender roles in medieval society, with the lady’s departure from her husband being a subversive act. This interpretation points to the enduring appeal of the song’s themes of freedom, rebellion and the allure of the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
It was late one night my lord came down demanding of his lady-o
The lord came to his lady one night and was demanding something from her.
The servants said on every hand she's gone with the raggle taggle gypsy-o
The servants informed the lord that his lady had left with a group of gypsies.
Oh saddle me my milk white steed, fetch for me my pony-o
The lord requests his horse and pony so he can search for his lady.
That i may go and seek my wife who's gone with the raggle taggle gypsy-o
The lord wants to find his lady who left with the gypsies.
He rode high, and he rode low, he rode through woods and copses-o
The lord searched high and low, through the woods and bushes.
Til he came to a wide open field where he spied his lady-o
He eventually finds his lady in an open field.
Why did you leave your house and your land, why dod you leave your money-o
The lord asks his lady why she left everything behind.
What care i for my house and land, what care i for my money-o
The lady doesn't care about her possessions.
What care i for my newly wedded lord, im off with the raggle taggle gypsy-o
The lady left her newly-wed lord to go with the gypsies.
What care i for my feather bed, the sheets turned down so bravely-o
The lady doesn't care for her comfortable bed anymore.
Tonight I sleep in the open field with my raggle taggle gypsy-o
The lady will spend the night outside with her new companions.
Oh saddle me, oh saddle me, saddle me my pony-o
The lord repeats his request to be given his pony.
That i may go and seek my wife thats gone with the raggle taggle gypsy-o
He wants to keep searching for his lady who left with the gypsies.
Contributed by Owen O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Betty TheFrootLoop
Heard this version often at home when I was little and searched YouTube for it like crazy until finally remembering the bands name. I love this version really!
John Harrison
AWESOME JUST AWESOME
Richard McKay
How I miss you, Bluehorses!
Gela Kobakhidze
great great . why they do not play anymore ???the are great, many thanks, for such a beautiful songs, from Georgia !!!!
Conchobair
Band broke up due to Personal Reasons.
Geraldean Swale
She is Liz Predergast one of the band leaders...Blue Horses are awesome!!
Leonora
I love this version! Wish I'd found it sooner.
1287 Retro
Fortunately I've seen the original Blue Horses when they were a folk band in my local pub. I lost interest in them when they went Rock/Celtic
Aaron Johnson
This is alright but I prefer a more traditional version of it.
Anders Midnatt
hope they'll reunite to turn any stage upside down again=)