Corbel now lives in Paris and performs in France and abroad. Her music blends ancient poems and compositions, celtic tunes and Mediterranean influences. She was noticed during her concerts and had the opportunity to play with the greatest “world music” artists:
Raggle Taggle Gypsy
Cécile Corbel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They came brave and boldly o
And there's one sang high and the other sang low
And the lady's seen the raggle-taggle gypsy o
It was upstairs and downstairs the lady went
Put on her suit of leather o
It was the cry all around her door
It was late last night that the lord came in
Inquiring for his a-lady o
The serving girls replied to him all
She's away with the raggle-taggle gypsy o
O then saddle for me me milk-white steed
Me big horse is not speedy o
I will ride and I'll seek my bride
She's away with the raggle-taggle gypsy o
O then he rode east and he rode west
He rode north and south also
But when he rode to the wide open field
It was there that he spied his a-lady o
O then why do you leave your house and your land?
Why do you leave you money o?
And why do you leave your only only-wedded lord
All for a raggle-taggle gypsy o?
What do I care for me house and me land?
What do I care for money o?
And what do I care for me only-wedded lord?
I'm away with the raggle-taggle gypsy o
(Well it was there last night you'd a goosefeather bed
With blankets drawn so comely o
Tonight you'll lie in a wide open field
In the arms of your raggle-taggle gypsy o)
(What do I care for a goose-feather bed
With blankets drawn so comely o?
Tonight i'll lie in a wide open field
In the arms of me raggle-taggle gypsy o}
Often you rode east when I rode west
You rode high when I rode low
I'd rather have a kiss of the yellow gypsy's lips
Than all of the cashier's money o
I'd rather have a kiss
I'd rather have a kiss of the yellow gypsy's lips
Than all of the cashier's money o
The song "Raggle Taggle Gypsy" is a story told through music about a woman who leaves her wealthy husband for a handsome, charming gypsy. Three young gypsies come to her hall door, and the lady can't resist their singing and charm. She puts on her suit of leather and runs off with the raggle-taggle gypsy. The lord of the house learns of her departure and goes after her, but she tells him that she doesn't care for her house, land, or money; all she wants is to be with the raggle-taggle gypsy. In the end, she chooses love over wealth and comfort, preferring a kiss from the yellow gypsy's lips than all the money in the world.
One interesting fact about the song is that it is based on a traditional folk song that has been adapted and performed by many artists over the years, including traditional Scottish and Irish bands as well as modern artists like Cécile Corbel. The song has also been the subject of many literary works, including novels and short stories.
Another fact about the song is that it is often associated with the wandering lifestyle of gypsies and their reputation for being outsiders in society. The song captures the sense of freedom and adventure associated with gypsy life, as well as the romance and danger of running away with a mysterious stranger.
Line by Line Meaning
There were three young gypsies came to our hall door
Three gypsy strangers arrived at our door
They came brave and boldly o
They entered confidently
And there's one sang high and the other sang low
One sang a high tune and the other sang a low one
And the lady's seen the raggle-taggle gypsy o
The lady saw the raggle-taggle gypsy among them
It was upstairs and downstairs the lady went
The lady searched the entire house
Put on her suit of leather o
She dressed in leather clothing
It was the cry all around her door
People were talking about her leaving
She's away with the raggle-taggle gypsy o
She ran away with the gypsy man
It was late last night that the lord came in
Late at night, the lord returned home
Inquiring for his a-lady o
He asked for his wife
The serving girls replied to him all
The servants told him
She's away with the raggle-taggle gypsy o
She left with the gypsy man
O then saddle for me me milk-white steed
He ordered his white horse to be saddled
Me big horse is not speedy o
His big horse was not fast
I will ride and I'll seek my bride
He will search for his wife
She's away with the raggle-taggle gypsy o
His wife left with the gypsy man
O then he rode east and he rode west
He searched in all directions
He rode north and south also
He searched in all possible areas
But when he rode to the wide open field
He found her in an open field
It was there that he spied his a-lady o
He finally found his wife
O then why do you leave your house and your land?
Why did you leave your home and property?
Why do you leave your money o?
Why did you leave your wealth?
And why do you leave your only only-wedded lord
Why did you leave your husband?
All for a raggle-taggle gypsy o?
For a gypsy man?
What do I care for me house and me land?
I don't care about my property
What do I care for money o?
I don't care about money
And what do I care for me only-wedded lord?
I don't care about my husband
I'm away with the raggle-taggle gypsy o
I ran away with the gypsy man
(Well it was there last night you'd a goosefeather bed
(Last night you slept in a comfortable bed
With blankets drawn so comely o
With beautiful blankets covering you
Tonight you'll lie in a wide open field
Tonight you will sleep in an open field
In the arms of your raggle-taggle gypsy o)
With the gypsy man holding you
(What do I care for a goose-feather bed
(I don't care about a comfortable bed
With blankets drawn so comely o?
With beautiful blankets covering me?
Tonight i'll lie in a wide open field
Tonight I will sleep in an open field
In the arms of me raggle-taggle gypsy o}
With the gypsy man holding me
Often you rode east when I rode west
We often went in opposite directions
You rode high when I rode low
You were happy while I wasn't
I'd rather have a kiss of the yellow gypsy's lips
I prefer a kiss from the gypsy man
Than all of the cashier's money o
More than all the wealth in the world
Contributed by Henry N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.