i once had a vardo and its wheels they did roll and spin
i ride it to ringwood and the dorset great show in the spring
my father boxed at the fairgrounds to the lord queensburys rules
oh the days they were long then when we lived down near poole
i once had a wife she was dark and so wise
she sang to the birds and had sparkling green eyes
she would tell folks their fortunes so gorgas beware
dont pick all the heathers from poole baskets fairs
we worked in the meadows and down at the quay
for many long hours we drank beer by the sea
the lights they did shine there and the stars they did glow
when we danced in the night whilst the old uns did sew
though those days have long gone and our masters have too
i remember the days long ago when we camped near sea view
there were cones on the hillsides and boats in the bay
the constitional hill was so steep and our lives were so gay
our homes they were rich then with satin and lace
with tattoes and artwork all over the place
our lamps they were gold and our talk it was free
when we lived by our wits and twere true romany