The whistling gypsy's come over the hill Down by the river so shady, He whistled and he sang 'til the greenwoods rang, 'Cause he won the heart of a lady. CHORUS: Ow-de-do, ow-de-do-da-day, Ow-de-do, ow-de-da-ay He whistled and he sang 'til the greenwoods rang, 'Cause he won the heart of a lady. She left her home by the castle gate She left her own true lover She left her servants and her estate To follow the gypsy rover Her father saddled up his fastest steed Rode through the valleys all over Sought his daughter at greatest speed And followed the gypsy rover. At last he came at last to a castle fine, Down by the river Claydee And there was music and there was wine, For the gypsy and his lady. "He is no gypsy, my father" says she "But lord of these valleys all over, And I shall stay 'til my dying day With my whistling gypsy rover."