Jingalo Gypsy
©1981, Lorraine Lee Hammond. Snowy Egret Music, BMI

1. A rich man, and so self-assured, he told her no lie.
Just said something about how she moved pleased his eye.
Raised up poor in the country, she struggled with what she should say.
He read "yes" in her silence, bought her fine clothes and took her away.

Chorus: Swing the one on your left, swing the one on your right, jingle, jingalo.
Swing the one you'll be loving tonight by the light of the great golden moon.

2. Now she dressed like a lady, rode round town in a chauffeured Rolls-Royce.
But the country stayed with her,, you heard it sometimes in her voice.
She remembered the old songs, sang them at night to her child
And the few times the baby slept easy were the few times she smiled.

3. Wealth beyond measure, mistress of houses and lands.
Fourteen fine servants all at her command.
She kept much to herself, but one time I heard her say,
"Rich or poor, does it matter? Life can hurt you so bad either way."

4. Reader and Advisor, that's all it said on the sign.
She'd been warned all her life about gypsies, how they robbed people blind.
But the questions that tore at her so would not go away,
And sometimes only a stranger knows what to say.

5. He didn't look like a gypsy. Gold earrings were not his style.
He saw she was nervous and calmed her at once with his smile.
Steadied her hand with his own and looked into her eyes.
The feelings he found there took them both by surprise.

6. He was good at his work, always knew just the right thing to say,
But words that worked so well before sounded all wrong today.
He studied her palm, said you'll love a man whose name starts with D.
My name is Davey. Tonight will you come away with me?

7. An uneasy silence filled the great hall that night,
Shrouded in midsummer shadow, the moon shining bright.
The master called his servants and carefully questioned each one.
The stable lad spoke. "With the Jingalo Gypsy she's gone."

8. West of town a fair field meets the river, the gypsies camped there.
Wood smoke and sweet meadow grass scenting the air.
The master moved to a circle where firelight shone.
When he called her by name, she stepped forward alone.

9. He said, "Would you forsake your houses and land?
Fourteen fine servants all at your command?
Would you forsake our young son when he's needing you so?
Would you forsake me with some Jingalo Gypsy to go?

10. His servants stepped forward out of the shadowy night.
Ten Gypsy men moved toward the flickering light.
She stood barefoot, her hair hanging free, dressed so ragged and gay.
He read "yes" in her silence, and this time walked slowly away.