New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-08-17
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
LELANps ENaLIsH-oIPsY SONGS.

II anv proof were needed of the versatile talent Of
the author of "Neister Karls Sketch Book and
"Hans Breitmann's Ballads" it might be found with
ont stint In this unique volume Mr. Lelands brain
fairly swarms with whimsical conceits for the Illus
tration Of which he ranmchs the most recondite |
stores Of learning, as we'll making use OF his own
extraordinary powers Of invention One Of hisehar-
asterstis faneies rs for trying all sorts of curious
experiments with Languages, which often remind the
reader Of The dizziness of conjurer even moro than
of the skin of an artist Leaving the rscy idioms OF
the American German, he here plunges into tho |
DEPTHS OF the English Rommany, not content with |
reproducing the bits and scraps Of song winch may
be heard from the lips of the wandering gpsies,
but veHturing upon the bold attempt Oh
original poeteal composition in their own IAN
puage According 70 the authors account OF the |
origin of the volume he was DESTROYS when writ
ing his work on 1.-THE English Gipsies and Their |
Language y TO add specimens of ROmmany songs to |
the collection Of proverbs and tales which 1T con-
tanned but seud discover none OF any interest en-
cept as imperfect illustrations of the strange tongue
The singing of the gpseS is like that oil the Amer|
can Indians entirely wanting In rhyme ana meter,
and ehanted without respect to time or tune. MI
Leland theretore, up the intention or forming
snch collection when he fell IN with some admlra-
BILE Rorarany ballads by friend, which, WIN |
others by Professor Palmer and Miss Jane uckey ms
colleagues in the present vol,rne, suggested the idea
thai i5ion,atie poetry with the true gypsy spirit
,niaht De wr,ten as honest Rommany, although not
composed BY jewellers in tents or caravans. In car
wing out the suggestion, great care was taeeh 10
keep TO styct English Ronmany, both as regards
words and expression and to abstain from all ideal
fau,ics There is hayIly poem in the volume
which if read in natural manner would not be
easily understood by any intelligent gypsy. MI
Leland excuses himself for taking SO much interest
tlc a
lats wears it has commanded the attention OF the
most eminent European pho1oCists that i'll England
il has been distinct dialect for several centuries
and that il i soft musical and easy to acquire. The
songs in the ROmmany text are accompanied WIN
poctical English versions translated fer the m0a
part by the writers of the originals. AZ specimen
of the lighter class Of these poems we may take
1.-The Real Gypsy" written and translated by Mr'
Leland:
Oh, I'm loNy Gypsy. and roam the country ronDaf
i'm real etale1i gro as can auywhere be found:
NV uncle - Chcott, my Inotherls a Lee
But Yin the hest of ail OF 'em, and real Rominany
From head ' to fcSt be-
who-op look into ny peepcs III 1psy YOU would see
Igo 10 fairs and yaces there I'm always TO he found
,lay across the country thcn baek npoh tne
One day pm dressed up swely IKE the gentleman Oh
Then tle ex come the hoFcar hcldn' Of yer horse
Just tlrt epenee sir; All rSht!
wngop IN 'ho boy as knows the way to run hOr'~-
When cuttn' Of NV skewers. 40 peaeeable am,
You'd cay. "That Pr tulengro i the pattern OF aine
But I'm nandy with my III ulies, az many TIME nave
An, ,an to for any traveller as goes MP the road
Oh at Hghtn' I'm at home,
Quick 10 dodge IN quick TO come
For at hittin OF At shyn I'm all outan outer Rom
How are you my sweet hdyf how ave 10" my lordi
NV Wicr take your money when she along this
You want give her sonehiraust to keep away the
So Ri Stcp round the corner willie your fortancs ben
Thrn thcrc1l ne pattcrin,
An al awful chat term!
So bid you ali good evcnn TIL come ms way AGAIN
The following song by Miss Jane Iuekey Is
founded on the gypsy custom OF assisting III the mop
harvest and thus earning enough to buy stock OF
baskets clothes-lines and other "nOtons," with
which they tramp over all England, each family
taking its special beat The general impression that
thev live H., stealing Mr.. Leland prcnounces 10 DE
incorrect Whatever may have been the sins OF
their fathers in this respect the present generation
as rule. are not open TO the charge. 8 From what
Ihave seen Of cipsics." be says, should say that
they are ON the whole as honest as the correspond
ing class of equally ignorant English people. They
rarely betIay man who trusts them. | can recall,
ia relation TO this, having once heard from MI.
Thomas Carlyle an interesting aDecdote of a Scot
fish gipsy who having borrowed sum of money.
faithfully returned il l have never heard Of
Rommany Rye being robbed by gypsy"
When Summertime Is gone, ana the races All are rul
Om iuekf over yet, for The hopping has begun:
go come my Gypsy brothers, il everything Is spent
Wcl al be of gether 20 the pleasant ktnd OF Kent;
And wen all sing in tine,
Aud we'll all sing in rhyme,
A song Of The merry hopping time.
Oh She flowers fading fast and the nuts arc growing
brown
The leaves arr turning yellow, and the wind viii sow
But no matter ior the flower and tree
The hops ali the l0woIs would ever care 10 sees
ILeyre ths tsst OF al tIat grow
a., - 20, ~, hove no hone hang hv
There The poles stand ia ine like the men Tat serve the
And The Vines twist around them and them with
Their No Ilotuer sight bet the I've what they
Than a fine Kentsh hOphed on sunny Autumn day.
Come, Gypsy BOYS SO TALL .
Como, Gipsy Children small
There's money waiting ycnder for us all!
Oh ibe air mens SO sweet where the ripe hoIblossoms
Yon'd think yon were sitting in Jolly aehouse BAR
It, last Ike drinking beer In with every breath you
On Snte 'tfs wonder that IFS not against the law!
Ling tie horse and the tent
Vel none OF Us repent
Having gone 10 The pheasant lana OF Kent
Wen pitch our iitle tent and at night when work isne,
Wei sit rOUDd t Ere ana wei hans the kettle on;
and II GorGsos ASA what's in IT, we'll say "What should
In tho Door G!psies' kettle hut a little drop of .oaP
And wen sing half the night,
And wei dance and wen fight,
Their ven sleep TIL Tie sun rises bright
WHOM All the hops are picked, then wen the
And Iii i,uy reoat and my wife viii buy "a gown.
welI sea stock OF baskets and s~eepng brush's
Oh the hopping keeps going all the dfcary Water
70 when nights are cold and long,
bel u sing loud and strOhg,
And remember TN hopping IN our song
Predecessor Palmer \ for The next extract