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Johnny Faa [King of the Gypsies]

from Waterside [full album] by Traditional Graffiti

/

about

my partner Sue has Romany in the family. So I had an impulse to write some songs about gypsies. This is one of three that emerged.
Charlie Faa Blythe crowned king of the Gypsies on the village green at Kirk Yetholm, one mile from the English border, in 1898. Died 1902. Last king of the gypsies. Johnny Faa was common name among gypsies. A Johnny Faa was banished by James Stuart of Scotland but refused to go, so was hanged in 1642.

lyrics

Johnny Faa (Ian Macintosh)

HAVE YOU HEARD OLD JOHNNY FAA, KNOCKING LOUDLY AT THE DOOR?
“HAVE YOU GOT A COIN TO SPA’?” SAYS JOHNNY FAA.

JOHNNY FAA’S BEEN HERE AN’ THERE, ‘CHORING’ PURSES AT THE FAIR
“JOHNNY FAA HE DOESNAE CARE!” SAYS JOHNNY FAA.

AMINOR7TH SHAPE SECOND FRET.

JOHNNY WALKS THE MOUNTAIN SIDE, LOOKING FOR ANOTHER BRIDE
HE HAS THIRTY BAIRNS BESIDES, HAS JOHNNY FAA.

JOHNNY FAA HAS THE SECOND SIGHT, HE CAN GIVE THE EVIL EYE
JOHNNY READS THE STARS AT NIGHT, SAYS JOHNNY FAA.

JOHNNY FAA HANGS FROM A TREE, SEE HIM DANGLE PRETTILY
NO OTHER CARE HAS HE… JOHNNY FAA.

JOHNNY FAA, WON’T GO TO SEA, “I LIKE THE HARD ROAD UNDER ME”
“I HAVE NO LOVE OF SHIPS” SAYS HE, SAYSJOHNNY FAA.
 

JOHNNY FAA WILL NOT GO AWA, CURSED O DELL THAT HE WOULD STA’,
“GYPSIES E’ER MUST WALK ABRA’” SAYS JOHNNY FAA.

JOHNNY FAA HANGS FROM A TREE, SEE HIM DANGLE PRETTILY
SCARLET RIBBONS ‘ROUND HIS KNEES, POOR JOHNNY FAA.


HAVE YE ALL SEEN JOHNNY FAA, PLAYING ON HIS RED GUITAR
“GYPSIES AYE FOR EVERMARE” SINGS JOHNNY FAA.

LISTEN TO OL’ JOHNNY SING, HE WILL NOT LISTEN TO THE KING,
NOW HE WILL LOSE EVERYTHING, POOR JOHNNY FAA.

JOHNNY FAA HANGS FROM A TREE, SEE HIM DANGLE PRETTILY
NOW HE’S LOST HIS LIBERTY, HAS JOHNNY FAA.


JOHNNY FAA WALKS O’ER THE HILL, DOWN THE VALLEY PAST THE MILL,
FOR ALL I KNOW HE’S WALKING STILL, IS JOHNNY FAA.

JOHNNY FAA HANGS FROM A TREE, SEE HIM DANGLE PRETTILY
HIS EMPTY EYES NO LONGER SEE, POOR JOHNNY FAA.

credits

from Waterside [full album], track released January 7, 2014
Ian 'the Pump' Macintosh - Guitar, Vocals
Marcus Holden - Fiddle, Mandolin, Vocals

license

all rights reserved

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about

Traditional Graffiti image

Traditional Graffiti Sydney, Australia

Formally performing as the Wheeze & Suck Band,
Ian 'The Pump' Macintosh, Johnny 'Red Tips' Milce, and Nigel 'Muddy' Walters formed the Traditional Graffiti Band in 2018 to continue and expand upon the Wheezer's music and performance style. ... more

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