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The Waterboys — The Raggle Taggle Gypsy (Live)
Album: Room To Roam
Avg rating:
7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2132









Released: 1990
Length: 4:26
Plays (last 30 days): 2
There were three old gypsies came to our hall door
they came brave and boldly-o
And one sang high and the other sang low
and the other sang a raggle taggle gypsy-o

It was upstairs downstairs the lady went
put on her suit of leather-o
And there was a cry from around the door
she's away wi' the raggle taggle gypsy-o

It was late that night when the Lord came in
enquiring for his lady-o
And the servant girl she said to the Lord
"She's away wi' the raggle taggle gypsy-o"

"Then saddle for me my milk white steed
- my big horse is not speedy-o
And I will ride till I seek my bride
she's away wi' the raggle taggle gypsy-o"

Now he rode East and he rode West
he rode North and South also
Until he came to a wide open plain
it was there that he spied his lady-o

"How could you leave your goose feather bed
your blankeys strewn so comely-o?
And how could you leave your newly wedded Lord
all for a raggle taggle gypsy-o?"

"What care I for my goose feather bed
wi' blankets strewn so comely-o?
Tonight I lie in a wide open field
in the arms of a raggle taggle gypsy-o"

"How could you leave your house and your land?
how could you leave your money-o?
How could you leave your only wedded Lord
all for a raggle taggle gypsy-o?"

"What care I for my house and my land?
what care I for my money-o?
I'd rather have a kiss from the yellow gypsy's lips
I'm away wi' the raggle taggle gypsy-o!"
Comments (172)add comment
 kcar wrote:

Likely determined by careful divination of the droppings of sacred monkeys in the Vatican. 


Wait, I was under the impression that the sacred monkeys flung their droppings.  Would that not make divination difficult at best?
Just saw Mike and the Waterboys in Freiburg Germany about a month ago - fantastic musicians and a fantastic show - dancin´ in the aisles!
 DaMoGan wrote:

Actually, I don't know if it is the case in this particular instance, but I wonder if it's a case of the native culture moving on to new things, while the descendants of those who might have moved away from the old country kept the music alive? If that's the case, you might just be hearing music from a time capsule of sorts.  Anyone have a link that might help confirm/deny this?

At any rate, I've always kind of liked this song, particularly when performed live in a bar while I'm quaffing a pint!

I think you're spot on.It's a fact that traditional music is still passed down from generation to generations in farm house kitchens and local community halls in the Canadian Maritimes. There are still old timers sawing away on fiddles that belonged to their grandparents. But the exciting thing is seeing players, some as young as 12, bringing youthful new energy to music that isn't just played for the tourists. It is still organic to the local culture as it has been since the 17 century.
italian "menestrello" Angelo Branduardi made a cover of this song, titled Vanità di Vanità
I just read Mike Scott's book and it's brilliant.  Long live the Waterboys!
"I'd rather have a kiss from the yellow gypsy's lips
I'm away wi' the raggle taggle gypsy-o!"
The melody was used by an Italian singer, too, Angelo Branduardi ("Vanità di vanità").
Thank god for the 'skip' button.  Repetitive, bone-aching rhymes, etc..  Probably okay if one is absolutely plastered.
 jmjohall wrote:

Love this, americanized or not.  Great song.  Makes me want to get up and dance.  And drink green beer!!


Green beer is American garbage.  If you want to drink to this song, drink an Irish Stout and nothing else.
 stunix wrote:
As a British celt of irish decent and 4th gen Welsh, the only time we hear this pseudo celtic penny whistle riverdance shite is on American radio stations. They sure do wanna be Irish to be sure!   If you spend a weekend in Cork. you'll find that the live irish music is nothing like this commercialised stuff in the same way that americans buy cheese in a tube.
 
I’ve lived in Ireland for the past three years, and I can tell you that this is certainly NOT the case. All of the Irish people that I know (young and old alike) love trad music and love to seek it out in village pubs and yes also in Cork City. In fact, a few years ago I saw the Waterboys live at the Vicar Street Theater here in Dublin and they played to a sold out Irish crowd. So, while this song may not be to your liking, it represents music that is still alive and well here in Ireland and in the rest of the world. 


 2Hawks wrote:

A couple of pints would do it... 
 It's a shame  we have to do this at home, alone...

 jmjohall wrote:
Love this, americanized or not.  Great song.  Makes me want to get up and dance.  And drink green beer!!
 
A couple of pints would do it... 
In the late 50's I skulked into a 2 small rooms pub where underagers could buy a pint of cider, if the landlord knew your father,  where I  heard an auld Scottish woman sing  this song, except it was  'Black Jack Davy' to her.
Changed me, it did.
One day, can you follow this with Rox in the Box by the Decemberists... just for fun. Or at least follow that song with some Waterboys.  Thank you.
Love this, americanized or not.  Great song.  Makes me want to get up and dance.  And drink green beer!!
 SpencerAR wrote:
Is it just me, or do these guys sound like Flogging Molly or the Dropkick Murphys?
 
 TLynneHenry wrote:

Scratch that, reverse it, and then you'll be correct.
 

Nah, they all sound like the Pogues, who can be seen as the first new/punk/hip recarnation of the Dubliners.
Respect to the Waterboys though, I think they stand in their own right.
 SpencerAR wrote:
Is it just me, or do these guys sound like Flogging Molly or the Dropkick Murphys?
 
Scratch that, reverse it, and then you'll be correct.
 PeterMC3 wrote:
Where rock meets folk - friends with benefits.
 

Well said.
Is it just me, or do these guys sound like Flogging Molly or the Dropkick Murphys?
 poetdancer wrote:
Going to see them this Friday in San Francisco! 
 
I saw them in the summer here in the UK (at the Cropredy festival). They were fantastic. I hope you enjoyed it.
 poetdancer wrote:
Going to see them this Friday in San Francisco! 
 

That will be awesome.  They are still kickin it.
Going to see them this Friday in San Francisco! 
 stunix wrote:
As a British celt of irish decent and 4th gen Welsh, the only time we hear this pseudo celtic penny whistle riverdance shite is on American radio stations. They sure do wanna be Irish to be sure!   If you spend a weekend in Cork. you'll find that the live irish music is nothing like this commercialised stuff in the same way that americans buy cheese in a tube.
 
You might want to read up on Mike Scott and the band. 
Harry Rag - Kinks Cover?
 stunix wrote:
As a British celt of irish decent and 4th gen Welsh, the only time we hear this pseudo celtic penny whistle riverdance shite is on American radio stations. They sure do wanna be Irish to be sure!   If you spend a weekend in Cork. you'll find that the live irish music is nothing like this commercialised stuff in the same way that americans buy cheese in a tube.
 

I was also waiting for the singer to break out in a full Popeye sing song. 

Lovely accent! 
loveeeeely!
Many better Waterboys songs than this...
Not a great song but I'm giving an 8 for the instant cheerfulness that it always gives me.
4 days too soon.
 FeatFanMike wrote:
Enjoyed this track but there's a problem at the end: the next song (Jayhawks - Waiting for the Sun) started played before this track ended.

 
Did it today too (The Jayhawks, that is) :(

Very enjoyable song for me though, regardless of the naysayers' opinions.

If you want the 'real' & 'traditional' sound, you need a time-machine, that's the only way you'll hear it.  Every version now is an interpretation (and there's nothing wrong with that).
Enjoyed this track but there's a problem at the end: the next song (Jayhawks - Waiting for the Sun) started played before this track ended.
Thanks god Bill got that out of his system.
I'd drink a bottle of good beer in some nice pub, listening this music, knowing that night is still young and that number of bottles is not limited {#Smile}...
 SeriousLee wrote:

And I would add that it's also similar to folks stuck in the 70s rock claiming that today's (80s 90s 00s 10s) rock ain't the real thing. May not be a native culture issue but certainly a music issue.

 
The older I get, the more open to different genres of music I become. Not so with my old man.
 DaMoGan wrote:

Actually, I don't know if it is the case in this particular instance, but I wonder if it's a case of the native culture moving on to new things, while the descendants of those who might have moved away from the old country kept the music alive? If that's the case, you might just be hearing music from a time capsule of sorts.  Anyone have a link that might help confirm/deny this?

At any rate, I've always kind of liked this song, particularly when performed live in a bar while I'm quaffing a pint!

 
And I would add that it's also similar to folks stuck in the 70s rock claiming that today's (80s 90s 00s 10s) rock ain't the real thing. May not be a native culture issue but certainly a music issue.
 stunix wrote:
As a British celt of irish decent and 4th gen Welsh, the only time we hear this pseudo celtic penny whistle riverdance shite is on American radio stations.     They sure do wanna be Irish to be sure!   If you spend a weekend in Cork. you'll find that the live irish music is nothing like this commercialised stuff in the same way that americans buy cheese in a tube.

 
Actually, I don't know if it is the case in this particular instance, but I wonder if it's a case of the native culture moving on to new things, while the descendants of those who might have moved away from the old country kept the music alive? If that's the case, you might just be hearing music from a time capsule of sorts.  Anyone have a link that might help confirm/deny this?

At any rate, I've always kind of liked this song, particularly when performed live in a bar while I'm quaffing a pint!
 wgsu_1978 wrote:

Also in the same way Brits smear beer vat sludge on bread and eat it?

 
Sure beats pink slime in a tube ie a hotdog.
This and the Planxty version are my favorites. Good sing-along no matter what version. That's the fun of trad. You can sing it with the band.
 Hannio wrote:
Arany Zoltan does a great job of this number.  You've never heard of him, I bet.

 
Anybody who is a fan of ancient music knows who Arany Zoltan is!  (Ancient as in Walther von der Vogelweide, not as in early Radiohead ;-) ) 
 MrsTom wrote:
I dislikio this songio no matteroh who sings it.
 
Good joke but with no sense 
Makes my heart sing while moving my feet!!! {#Dancingbanana_2}
Where's Lazarus and his raggle taggle bowlegged gypsy church?
 passsion8 wrote:
2 Waterboys songs in one day?
Of all the innumerable random band combinations possible, why? 

 
Likely determined by careful divination of the droppings of sacred monkeys in the Vatican. 
very good !! saw them live recently !
 stunix wrote:
As a British celt of irish decent and 4th gen Welsh, the only time we hear this pseudo celtic penny whistle riverdance shite is on American radio stations.     They sure do wanna be Irish to be sure!   If you spend a weekend in Cork. you'll find that the live irish music is nothing like this commercialised stuff in the same way that americans buy cheese in a tube.

 
Also in the same way Brits smear beer vat sludge on bread and eat it?
2 Waterboys songs in one day?
Of all the innumerable random band combinations possible, why? 
 stunix wrote:
As a British celt of irish decent and 4th gen Welsh, the only time we hear this pseudo celtic penny whistle riverdance shite is on American radio stations.     They sure do wanna be Irish to be sure!   If you spend a weekend in Cork. you'll find that the live irish music is nothing like this commercialised stuff in the same way that americans buy cheese in a tube.

 

I feel sorry for you.


As a British celt of irish decent and 4th gen Welsh, the only time we hear this pseudo celtic penny whistle riverdance shite is on American radio stations.     They sure do wanna be Irish to be sure!   If you spend a weekend in Cork. you'll find that the live irish music is nothing like this commercialised stuff in the same way that americans buy cheese in a tube.
Arany Zoltan does a great job of this number.  You've never heard of him, I bet.
The Waterboys have eluded me no more
 JoeyLovesRP wrote:
You know what I heard instead of this today a bit ago?....I HEARD BRUNO FREAKING MARS !!!!! UGH!

 
Not on RP you didn't. 
I dislikio this songio no matteroh who sings it.
You know what I heard instead of this today a bit ago?....I HEARD BRUNO FREAKING MARS !!!!! UGH!
Interesting follow on to Roy Orbison - Oh, Pretty Woman... 
Ive heard many artists cover this song...never heard a bad version of it.....
Where rock meets folk - friends with benefits.
 demenshea wrote:
Damn...i want to go to the pub now!!

 
You should go; it's got to be 10:00 A.M. somewhere.
Bumping this to a 10 - gives me goosebumps-o!
Yadda dip doo da! Yadda dip doo da!  Yadda doo da, da-da dip doo da!!!  with a sweet potatoe chirpping away, joyful sounds indeed
WonderLizard wrote:

If you add an "o" to everything, (1) it evens out the meter, and (2) everything rhymes. Veddy simple ackshully.

 
{#Roflol}Thank you with a no less hearty laugh. Right this moment I hear Donovan perform what's so neatly explained above.
LOVE the Waterboys! BANG THE DRUM!
Really good today. I came on board with Zep. Thanks for getting Friday started right!
Not my favorite rendition of this particular tune, but a solid entry nonetheless
 Bleyfusz wrote:
Still have´nt heard a version of this tune I did'nt like instantly. Someone could kindly explain the o-thing for a no-native speaker?

 
If you add an "o" to everything, (1) it evens out the meter, and (2) everything rhymes. Veddy simple ackshully.
Still have´nt heard a version of this tune I did'nt like instantly. Someone could kindly explain the o-thing for a no-native speaker?
 esmeralda wrote:

I was going to write how much I agree with this post, then I realized it was me.

 
haHA
Too good - 9 > 10+  More H2O Boys anytime!
 Lrobby99 wrote:


How was the show, and where?
 

Saw them in Bristol, two rows from the front so looking straight up Mike Scott's nose! First half was the recent 'Appointmnet with Mr Yeats', second was all the old songs you'd expect.... a great night!
This post apparently contained an image that was dragged into the post editor. Sorry, but any text contained in the post after this point has been lost.
I always love me some Waterboys!
{#Good-vibes}
 demenshea wrote:
Damn...i want to go to the pub now!!
 
I'm in.....  {#Cheers}
 shellbella wrote:
Radio Paradise on a roll today baby!!
 
Yea, today, too. 
Radio Paradise on a roll today baby!!
Damn...i want to go to the pub now!!
I like playing this on the recorder.  Sends the wife running to the furthest reaches of the house.
 Boy_Wonder wrote:
Great..... and I'm seeing them live later this month.... 
 

How was the show, and where?
Great..... and I'm seeing them live later this month.... 
HEY!! diddle-diddle...
Maybe it's just that the playlist is all super-great right now, but this is at least an 8 from me tonight!

(But it does remind me of "the frog on the log in the bog" which makes me LOL to remember!) It's folksy, that's for sure. 
Good stuff for sure!
Bounced around the office - doing my jigg! Excellent afternoon music!
 Glencoe_JC wrote:
This is taken from Mike Scott's website:

Is The Waterboys a Scottish or Irish band ?
Mike Scott who formed the group is from Edinburgh in Scotland. Several Irishmen and one Irishwoman have been members at various times and the group was based in Dublin from 1986 to 1991. At other times the group has been based in London or New York. The Waterboys have had English, Welsh, American and other Scottish members too.

For me they're Scottish....but then again I would say that?!
 
Call them Celtic, I reckon, like so many other modern bands outwith that bastion of barbarism South of Scotland. Ireland and Scotland, particularly the Highlands (called in Gaelic the Gaidhealtachd, or land of the Gaels), are very closely linked culturally, historically, linguistically and genetically. Not surprising, really, seeing as the pesky Irish colonised the Highlands and Islands in the first millennium, and brought their language with them, which mutated and softened as it travelled North. Off the top of my head, other joint Irish/Scottish bands are Salsa Celtica, Afro-Celt Sound System, and Shooglenifty.

 Misterfixit wrote:
"Gypsy" is no longer PC unless we are talking about Gypsy Rose Lee.  "The Travelling People"; "The Roma", "The Romani".  Beware the PC Police or you'll have their raggle taggle in yer eye.
 
Not true (at least where I hail from). To talk about a Gypsy is still very much (pc) allowed. Mind you, they are now mostly lumped under the title of 'travellers' who have more bad press than News International. 

 
 SpamNRice wrote:
And me without a beer in my hand....{#Yell}
 
Here - have a Samuel Smith's Pale Ale.  Plenty to go around!  Gotta go dance on a table now... {#Bananapiano} 
It's magically delicious! Corned beef and cabbage!  Yuck!

 Stingray wrote:
hate this irish bull
 

True, but it was much better when it was English and before that, Scottish.

"The Gypsy Laddie" (Roud 1, Child 200), also known as "Black Jack Davy" and "The Raggle Taggle Gypsies" among many other titles, is a Border ballad <1>, possibly written about 1720 on the Scottish side of the border. The ballad has often been used and recorded in many different variations in Scotland and England from the 18th century, the United States, Canada from the 19th century, and more recently Ireland from the 1970s.


And me without a beer in my hand....{#Yell}
 rdo wrote:
It seems like there are at least 10 different versions of this song on RP.  Different names, bands and lyrics, but the same melody. 

 
This is an Old Irish Traditional Song. It has been recorded many times over.

Woohoo!!! This kind of music is BEST enjoyed in a rollicking crowd, packed into a good Irish Pub. {#Cheers}  {#Guitarist}  {#Boohoo}
"Gypsy" is no longer PC unless we are talking about Gypsy Rose Lee.  "The Travelling People"; "The Roma", "The Romani".  Beware the PC Police or you'll have their raggle taggle in yer eye.


It seems like there are at least 10 different versions of this song on RP.  Different names, bands and lyrics, but the same melody. 

I still can't help but do a little dance when I hear this song - whether I'm folding clothes or loading the dishwasher.  It just makes me happy. And I actually have a head-scarf given to me by a man who's descended from a Gypsy clan. The stories he tells... {#Cheers}
 Businessgypsy wrote:
My taggles are hardly raggled at all, but I keep 'em in a special box.
 
Doesn't it hurt to detach them? {#Bananajumprope}
hate this irish bull
mute
My taggles are hardly raggled at all, but I keep 'em in a special box.
 Lrobby99 wrote:
More Irish!
More Irish!

Go to Ireland and learn what contentment is.
 
MMMmmm {#Think}  - not too content right now, just a little problem with da economy, shouldn't take too many decades to sort

{#Dancingbanana}
I'll have another one!
Okay, I know this will be weird, but stick with me, okay?  I watched "Anne of Avonlea" on DVD, and in one of the episodes, Anne has commandeered the horses and carriages of a curmudgeonly matron whose grand-daughter she is tutoring.  Anne has invited the school students she teaches to an alfresco lunch, unbeknownst to the matron.  Dame Wendy Hiller as Margaret Harris is outraged at the blatant anarchy - at one point she protests, "I'm not some raggle-taggle gypsy!"  Hence the connection.

I love this song, and if anyone has a yearning for simpler times, the whole "Anne of Green Gables" series is perfect to watch with kids. Or alone. Or with a friend.  It's perfect, okay?

So, whenever I hear this song, I'm thrown back into the past, in the best way.

Shutting up now.
 ed wrote:
When did Popeye release a c.d?
 

Ik's quite uncanny, ah-gah-gah-gah-gah! {#Lol}
{#Drunk}{#Notworthy}{#Cool} Like a drink with this one!


This is taken from Mike Scott's website:

Is The Waterboys a Scottish or Irish band ?
Mike Scott who formed the group is from Edinburgh in Scotland. Several Irishmen and one Irishwoman have been members at various times and the group was based in Dublin from 1986 to 1991. At other times the group has been based in London or New York. The Waterboys have had English, Welsh, American and other Scottish members too.

For me they're Scottish....but then again I would say that?!

Great band, saw them first when I was 16 at the QM...a few moons ago {#Whistle}
this is the last song yu here just before they throw you out for dancin too hard and makin a fool of yu self {#Bananasplit}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananasplit}
Why does this crap make me sick?  I love all types of music... but something about Tori Amos and Irish music makes me want to barf?
 DaMoGan wrote:

Love it.  I wish I was in an Irish bar tonight, instead of at home!

 
 I'll meet ya at the local for a pint.


Great to see all of the pro-Waterboy stuff below: be sure to support the band next time they are stateside.  I have a distant connection to Mike Scott and am told coming to the states to perform is a loosing battle since very few come out in support: all of our loss.

More Irish!
More Irish!

Go to Ireland and learn what contentment is.
There are countless versions of this song and the story it tells, handed down to american music as Blackjack Davye, which Bob Dylan picked up on Good as I been to you.
I never really got the Waterboys from their studio work.  But this I get.  

Love it.  I wish I was in an Irish bar tonight, instead of at home!

 Govi wrote:
Is this Irish oompah?
 
Nope, it's Irish drinking music, a long and honourable tradition across the country, and played by countless pub bands every weekend whilst the punters drink themselves into a stupor on Guinness, Harp and Paddy's :*)

This is a great example of it, and IMO pure, concentrated craic. A pint o' porter and a Jamieson's for me, barman!

Best served with Guinness!
Reminds me of my "Jig Punk" buds The Prodigals. Hand me a Guiness!
 esmeralda wrote:

I was going to write how much I agree with this post, then I realized it was me.

 


 esmeralda wrote:
Love love love this song. I would say this would make my top five songs in the world.
 
I was going to write how much I agree with this post, then I realized it was me.

Love this live version!   Saw them live about 5 years ago.  Great 3-hour show, but they did not play this song...