Gypsies, vagabonds, fools, the ferry and something about a shoe or whatever I have no idea, what is this even....

February 6, 2012 9:00 PM

Please work your magic and help me think of this song, even though you'll pretty much have nothing to go on.

There's this song from a distant memory that sprung up while I was having a conversation with my sister. And, after much ranting about it, she's finally gotten this inkling of a feeling about this song, too, but can't think of it either.

It was most likely by a female vocalist. And when I say most likely, I mean it was either by a woman, or a man who sound astonishingly like one.
The overall theme had something to do with gypsies. Now, this is the hard part. This is just a feeling. My sister says "vagabond" better describes the feeling of the song. But I vaguely remember something about a poor girl trying to find food, or maybe a place to sleep, I don't know.
The lyrics were in a narrative sort of fashion
It was vaguely folky. I remember a very rhythmic acoustic guitar [maybe]. But it wasn't really celtic folky, nothing like Lorena McKennit
The last time I heard it was about 2001, or there abouts.
I have this feeling that it was by this normal rock-esque band who happened to do this one song in this folkish fashion, but this may be completely off.

posted by FirstMateKate to media & arts (17 answers total)

Is it Cher?
posted by TheRaven at 9:18 PM on February 6, 2012

Gypsy Davy (that version is by Cordelia's Dad, male vocalist but a band that does rock/folk) is a song that fits the pattern you're talking about, and has been performed by many people. The wife of a landed gentleman runs off with a gypsy, and prefers to sleep on the cold ground than in a feather bed, because of his true love etc.
posted by LobsterMitten at 9:23 PM on February 6, 2012

Bob Dylan performing Blackjack Davy, a version of the same song. (This one has the full song so you can hear all the lyrics and see if it fits the song you're remembering)
posted by LobsterMitten at 9:30 PM on February 6, 2012

Yeah, I was going to suggest Gypsy Davey as well, albeit the Sandy Denny/Fotheringay version, because one should never miss an opportunity to link to Sandy Denny.
posted by mykescipark at 9:37 PM on February 6, 2012

Left field: St Theresa by Joan Osborne?
posted by kickingthecrap at 9:41 PM on February 6, 2012

I couldn't find a video, but I was thinking of My Ramblin' Boy, also by Sandy Denny. Steeleye Span did a song called Black Jack Davy, which I believe may be similar to Gypsy Davy (the plot is certainly similar) and their lead singer is a woman, the wonderful Maddy Prior.
posted by Cheese Monster at 10:10 PM on February 6, 2012

More on The Gypsy Laddie song.

Maybe I Know Where I'm Going?
posted by nicebookrack at 11:25 PM on February 6, 2012

Widfire?
posted by FreezBoy at 12:16 AM on February 7, 2012

Gypsy Woman by Brian Hyland? He's got sort of a high voice, could be mistaken for female on this song.
posted by Oriole Adams at 1:57 AM on February 7, 2012

The Waterboys, Raggle Taggle Gypsy?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:24 AM on February 7, 2012

(The Waterboys may be more Celticy than you had in mind, now that I hear it, but putting it out there just in case.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:25 AM on February 7, 2012

Brandy ?
posted by Flood at 5:01 AM on February 7, 2012

Not at all a female vocalist, but I thought Beeswing when you described the rest of this. I also think of Vashti Bunyan even though she doesn't fit some of your other criteria.
posted by jessamyn at 6:06 AM on February 7, 2012

Pretty Celtic, but Little Beggar Girl by Richard and Linda Thompson fits otherwise. Amazon link w/ sample clip
posted by wemayfreeze at 6:13 AM on February 7, 2012

This sounds like the *sound* you're describing, and it's a titular fit, but there's nothing about trying to find food. However, there's the chorus about, "Oh, hold me like a baby that will not fall asleep."

Gypsy by Suzanne Vega
posted by 100watts at 7:08 AM on February 7, 2012

not a woman, but I'm thinking Foy Vance's Gabriel and the Vagabond
posted by cecic at 10:16 AM on February 7, 2012

kickingthecrap, thank you for traveling here all the way from left field– my sister and I are forever indebted to you! We are so excited right now it's ridiculous. As soon as I read the word "Theresa", I knew it was right. Also, upon playing the song, she and I both knew all of the words. It's funny how the brain works.
posted by FirstMateKate at 12:41 PM on February 7, 2012 [1 favorite]