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Brewster: Ballads and Songs of Indiana 271
55
THE GYPSY'S WARNING
Two Indiana texts of "The Gypsy's Warning" have been recovered.
For other American texts and references, see Belden, No. 35; Brown, p. 12; Cox, p. 439; Pound, p. 43; Spaeth, Read 'Em* and Weep, p. 20; Henry, Songs Sung in the Soutlvern Appalachians, p. 154. The song was published in 1864, but the author is unknown. For references to its appearance in songbooks and broadsides, see Cox, p. 439, headnote.
"The Gypsy's Warning." Contributed by Mrs. Mary J. Shriver, of East St. Louis, Illinois, Learned in Indiana from the singing of her father, Mr. Stephen Cox. November 30, 1935.
1. Trust him not, 0 gentle lady,
Though his voice be low and sweet; Heed not him who kneels before thee,
Softly pleading at thy feet. Now thy life is in its morning;
Cloud not this thy happy lot. Listen to the gypsy's warning;
Gentle lady, trust him not.
2. Lady, once there was a maiden
Young and pure and, like thee, fair; Yet he wooed, he wooed and won her,
Filled her gentle heart with care. Then he heeded not her weeping;
He cared not her life to save; Soon she perished, now she's sleeping
In the cold and silent grave.
3. Lady, turn not from me coldly;
I have only told the truth; From a stern and withering sorrow,
Lady, I would shield thy youth. I would shield thee from all danger,
Shield thee from the tempter's snare. Lady, shun the dark-eyed stranger;
I have warned thee, now beware. |
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