Murray McLauchlan (born June 30, 1948 in Paisley, Scotland) is a Canadian … Read Full Bio ↴Murray McLauchlan (born June 30, 1948 in Paisley, Scotland) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, guitarist, pianist, and harmonica player. He is best known in Canada, for his smash hit "Down by the Henry Moore", which was about a sculpture in front of Toronto's city hall, where students met in the 60s and early 70s. McLauchlan has had success in the pop, adult contemporary, country, and folk-music fields, with songs such as the Juno Award-winning "Farmer's Song" (1973), "Hurricane of Change" (also 1973), "Do You Dream of Being Somebody" (1975), and "Whispering Rain" (1979). He holds 11 Juno Awards, is a pilot, a painter and a Member of the Order of Canada, and also plays with Lunch At Allens.

Gypsy Boy
Murray McLauchlan Lyrics

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When I go down to the harbour,
Watch the boats go out to sea
I sometimes wish that one was takin' me
I could hide down in a lifeboat
Watch the fishes jump for joy
Life's so easy for a gypsy boy

A man who carries nothin' but the hat upon his head

Is a man with nothin' cloudin' up his mind
The only kind of work he likes
Is not to be employed
Life's so easy for a gypsy boy

But if you're just a gypsy in your heart
And it's hidin' in an undiscovered part
You can watch the boats go by
And float downstream
You still can be a gypsy in your dreams

When I go down to the harbour
Watch the boats go out to sea
I sometimes wish that one was takin' me
But it don't really matter

It's just a fancy I enjoy
Life's so easy for a gypsy boy

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Murray McLauchlan's song "Gypsy Boy" portray the life of a carefree individual, who is not bound by the rules of the society. The singer, who admires the life of a gypsy boy, goes down to the harbor to watch the boats sail away to sea. He envisions himself sailing away with them, to escape the monotony and responsibilities of his everyday life. He dreams of hiding in a lifeboat, watching the fishes jump for joy, and leaving behind all the complications of life. For him, life is so simple for a gypsy boy who carries nothing but his hat and enjoys the freedom of not being employed.

However, the song goes on to highlight that being a gypsy is not just about having a carefree approach to life but more about the willingness to embrace life's unpredictability. Whether a person is a born gypsy or just a gypsy in their heart, they can still enjoy the freedom of the soul. It is not about leaving everything behind and sailing away but about finding the right balance that allows you to embrace the beauty of life while holding onto your responsibilities.

In summary, the lyrics of "Gypsy Boy" captures the essence of the gypsy lifestyle, one that is not bound by societal norms or material possessions but rather is about embracing life's simplicities.

Line by Line Meaning

When I go down to the harbour,
Whenever I visit the harbor,

Watch the boats go out to sea
And observe the boats sailing into the deep sea

I sometimes wish that one was takin' me
I occasionally wish to be aboard one of those boats

I could hide down in a lifeboat
I could conceal myself in a lifeboat

Watch the fishes jump for joy
Observe the fishes jumping in delight

Life's so easy for a gypsy boy
Life is effortless for a nomadic boy

A man who carries nothin' but the hat upon his head
A man who possesses nothing except the hat on his head

Is a man with nothin' cloudin' up his mind
Has nothing to clutter his thoughts

The only kind of work he likes
He prefers only a particular type of work

Is not to be employed
Which is not formal employment

Life's so easy for a gypsy boy
Life is effortless for a nomadic boy