 | English melodies |  |
7
GIPSEY BALLAD.
What care we for earth's renown;
We, to greenwood pleasures born;
Tinsel makes an easier crown
Than the proudest kings have worn.
Though our royal sword of state
Be a feeble willow wand;
Courtiers have been glad to wait
For the pretty Gipsey's hand!
Underneath the old oak tree,
Soon as sets the summer day,
Gipsey lads and lasses we,
Dance and sing the night away.
We, to greenwood pleasures born;
Tinsel makes an easier crown
Than the proudest kings have worn.
Though our royal sword of state
Be a feeble willow wand;
Courtiers have been glad to wait
For the pretty Gipsey's hand!
Underneath the old oak tree,
Soon as sets the summer day,
Gipsey lads and lasses we,
Dance and sing the night away.
Many bind their brows with care,
Labour through the anxious day,
Just to gain enough to bear
Corpse and coffin to the clay!
Though but little we may claim,
Still that little we enjoy;
Wealth is often but a name,
Title but a gilded toy!
Underneath the old oak tree,
Soon as sets the summer day,
Gipsey lads and lasses we,
Dance and sing the night away.
Labour through the anxious day,
Just to gain enough to bear
Corpse and coffin to the clay!
8
Still that little we enjoy;
Wealth is often but a name,
Title but a gilded toy!
Underneath the old oak tree,
Soon as sets the summer day,
Gipsey lads and lasses we,
Dance and sing the night away.
| English melodies | |