The Whistling Gypsy

The Whistling Gypsy, sometimes known simply as The Gypsy Rover, is a well-known ballad composed by Dublin songwriter, Leo Maguire in about 1950 [1]. It is an imitation of folk song, notably "The Raggle Taggle Gypsy"; see also 'Black Jack Davy' and 'The Gypsy Laddie'.

It was recorded by numerous artists, including The Clancy Brothers, The Kingston Trio, Elton Hayes, The Seekers, Carmel Quinn and Glenn Yarbrough.

There are many lyrics, but these are the original ones. CREDIT: http://www.ingeb.org/songs/thegypsy.html

The Gypsy Rover came over the hills,
Down to the valley so shady;
He whistled and he sang
Till the green woods rang,
And he won the heart of a lady.

A dee do a dee do die day,
A dee do a dee day dee
He whistled and he sang
Till the green woods rang,
And he won the heart of a lady.

She left her father's castle gates,
She left her fair young lover;
She left her servants
And her estate
to follow the Gypsy Rover.

A dee do a dee do die day,
A dee do a dee day dee
He whistled and he sang
Till the green woods rang,
And he won the heart of a lady.

Her father mounted up his fastest steed
To search the valleys all over
He sought his daughter
At great speed
And the whistling Gypsy Rover.

A dee do a dee do die day,
A dee do a dee day dee
He whistled and he sang
Till the green woods rang,
And he won the heart of a lady.

He came at last to a mansion fine,
Down by the river Claydee,
And there was music
And there was wine,
For the Gypsy and his lady.

A dee do a dee do die day,
A dee do a dee day dee
He whistled and he sang
Till the green wood rang,
And he won the heart of a lady.

"He is no gypsy, my father." she said.
"But lord of those freelands all over,
And I will stay till my dying day
With my whistling gypsy rover."

A dee do a dee do die day,
A dee do a dee day dee
He whistled and he sang
Till the green woods rang,
And he won the heart of a lady.