Ma man's a gypsy Cause he never does come home. Ma man's a gypsy, — He never does come home. I'm gonna be a gypsy woman Fer I can't stay here alone. Once I was in Memphis, I mean Tennessee. Once I was in Memphis, Said Tennessee. But I had to leave cause Nobody there was good to me. I met a yellow papa, He took ma last thin dime. Met a yellow papa, He took ma last thin dime. I give it to him cause I loved him But I'll have mo' sense next time. Love, Oh, love is Such a strange disease. Love, Oh, love is Such a strange disease. When it hurts yo' heart you Sho can't find no ease.
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Text Authorship:
- by Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), "Gypsy man", appears in Fine Clothes to the Jew, first published 1927 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Harvey Enders (1892 - 1947), "Gypsy man", published 1933 [ SSAA chorus and clarinet ] [sung text not yet checked]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2021-01-20
Line count: 24
Word count: 123