Gypsies
Jim Moray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They sang so high and they sang so low,
And the lady sits in her chamber late
and her heart it melted away like snow.
Well they sang so high and they sang so clear,
Fast her tears began to flow.
So she's laid aside her silken gown
to follow the raggle taggle gypsies.
made of Spanish leather
Over her shoulders a blanket she's threw,
to follow the raggle taggle gypsies.
Well it's late at night when her lord comes home
enquiring for his lady.
Well the servant girl gave this reply,
"Oh, She's gone with the raggle taggle gypsies."
"So saddle to me my milk white steed.
Bridle me my pony,
that I may ride to seek my bride
who's gone with the raggle taggle gypsies."
So he's ridden o'er yon high high hill.
He's rode through woods and copses,
Until he's came to the broad open stream,
and there he spied his lady.
"Oh what makes you leave your houses and land?
What makes you leave your money?
What makes you leave your unwedded lord?
To go with the raggle taggle gypsies."
She says "What care I for a goose-feather bed,
with the sheets turned down so bravely?
For tonight I will sleep in the cold open field,
with the love of my raggle taggle gypsies."
Three gypsies stood at the castle gate,
They sang so high and they sang so low,
And the lady sits in her chamber late
and her heart it melted away like snow.
The song "Gypsies" by Jim Moray tells the story of a lady who is captivated by the music and allure of three gypsies who sing outside of her castle gate. The lady’s heart is moved by their beautiful singing, and she becomes so entranced by it that she decides to leave her comfortable life behind to join the gypsies. As she follows the raggle taggle gypsies, she sheds her luxurious clothing and dons a more humble outfit suitable for their lifestyle.
When the lady’s lord returns home and discovers that she is missing, he sets out to find her. He rides through the night and the woods until he eventually locates her by a stream. He is confused and disheartened by her decision to leave her home and her life of luxury behind, but she is content with her choice to begin a new life with the gypsies. She is not swayed by his wealth and position, instead choosing to embrace the freedom and music of the raggle taggle gypsies.
Overall, the song “Gypsies” is a tale of love, freedom, and the allure of a simpler way of life. It paints a picture of a world where music and passion are valued over material possessions and societal norms. It is a powerful reminder to listeners that sometimes the greatest happiness can come from stepping out of one’s comfort zone and embracing the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
Three gypsies stood at the castle gate,
Three gypsies were at the entrance of the castle.
They sang so high and they sang so low,
The gypsies sang in high and low pitches.
And the lady sits in her chamber late and her heart it melted away like snow.
The lady was in her room and her heart was moved by the gypsies’ song.
Well they sang so high and they sang so clear, Fast her tears began to flow.
The lady was moved by the gypsies’ singing and started crying.
So she's laid aside her silken gown to follow the raggle taggle gypsies.
The lady changed into simpler clothing to follow the gypsies.
Well she's kicked off her high heeled shoes, made of Spanish leather Over her shoulders a blanket she's threw, to follow the raggle taggle gypsies.
The lady discarded her fancy shoes and wrapped herself in a blanket to join the gypsies.
Well it's late at night when her lord comes home enquiring for his lady.
The lady's husband came home late and asked for her whereabouts.
Well the servant girl gave this reply, "Oh, She's gone with the raggle taggle gypsies."
The servant informed the husband that the lady left with the gypsies.
"So saddle to me my milk white steed. Bridle me my pony, that I may ride to seek my bride who's gone with the raggle taggle gypsies."
The husband requested his horse to be prepared for him to go find his wife who left with the gypsies.
So he's ridden o'er yon high high hill. He's rode through woods and copses, Until he's came to the broad open stream, and there he spied his lady.
The husband rode over hills and through forests until he found his wife at a river.
"Oh what makes you leave your houses and land? What makes you leave your money? What makes you leave your unwedded lord? To go with the raggle taggle gypsies."
The husband asked his wife why she left her possessions and him to join the gypsies.
She says "What care I for a goose-feather bed, with the sheets turned down so bravely? For tonight I will sleep in the cold open field, with the love of my raggle taggle gypsies."
The wife replied that she no longer cared for her fancy bed and would rather sleep outside with the gypsies.
Three gypsies stood at the castle gate, They sang so high and they sang so low, And the lady sits in her chamber late and her heart it melted away like snow.
The song repeats the opening verse, emphasizing the impact the gypsies had on the lady’s heart.
Writer(s): Jim Moray
Contributed by Christian E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
BlackReaper
the song is sung to awesomeness even though the music is heavy sometimes due to the trumpets
gurupillow
i like nickle creek's version best, but this is good too. nice brass and guitar
Eleuthera
like this version better than all the others <3
Joy
as do i, though it is such a sorrowful tune. "her heart melted away like snow"
Joy
oh, i understand , this is a follow up to the traditional folk song!
Joy
my gosh, what about the song that goes "there were three old gypsies came to our house door, they came brave and bopldy oh, one sang nhigh and the other sang low." this is so similar
Rowanriver
I don't like the trumpets, but the arangement is cool.
Arthur Phillips
Dm, so much better than the bloody Em
Wiltshire Maintenance Ltd
trumpets definitely do ruin this, i dont think that the trumpet is a folk instrument, its much to harsh for this song. brilliant in jazz or blues, but not folk.
NM PK
So what is a 'folk instrument'? Like many instruments, the guitar (acoustic or otherwise) or the banjo or mandolin were not really originally part of English/Irish/Scottish folk music. They were imported to these shores after quite a few traditional folk songs were first written (some were just poems with just melody) and people used whatever was at hand to accompany them. So folk songs and music has always open to interpretation, no matter what the traditionalists say. Like many before him, Jim Moray is just putting his own stamp on a traditional song. And playing a sax or trumpet doesn't make music jazz or blues, just like playing acoustic instruments doesn't make it 'folk' music.