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about

Gypsies and Travellers have been regarded as third-class citizens in Britain ever since they first arrived in the 16th century. They have been harrassed and discriminated against to such an extent that both their culture and way of life are now in danger of vanishing. This song, which has become a contemporary favourite, mourns the passing of their lifestyle.

Don’t I wish the old times would come back again. When we used to go and have a drink at the public house, all come back on the old common singing, hang on our pots with great big suety puddings, hocks of bacon, pigs’ heads ... We done nice then. (Caroline Hughes, Dorset Gypsy queen . Recorded on a patch of sour land adjacent to the Wareham by-pass, near Poole, Dorset, in 1963)

alternative title: “I’m a Freeborn Man”
words and music: Ewan MacColl

lyrics

I’m a freeborn man of the travelling people,
Got no fixed abode, with nomads I am numbered.
Country lanes and by-ways were always my ways,
I never fancied being lumbered.

O, we knew the woods and the resting places,
And the small birds sang when winter-time was over;
Then we’d pack our load and be on the road,
They were good old times for a rover.

There was open ground where a man could linger,
Stay a week or two, for time was not your master.
Then away you’d jog with your horse and dog,
Nice and easy, no need to go faster.

Now and then you’d meet up with other Travellers,
Hear the news or else swap family information;
At the country fairs, you’d be meeting there
All the people of the travelling nation.

O, I’ve known life hard and I’ve known it easy,
And I’ve cursed the times when winter days were dawning;
But I’ve danced and sang through the whole night long,
Seen the summer sun rise in the morning.

All you freeborn men of the travelling people,
Every tinker, rolling stone and gypsy rover:
Winds of change are blowing, old ways are going,
Your travelling days will soon be over.

credits

from Freeborn Man, released September 20, 1983
Ewan MacColl - vocals
Peggy Seeger - guitar, concertina
Calum MacColl - dulcimer

Produced by Neill MacColl
Engineered by Nick Godwin
Recorded at Pathway Studios, London

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Ewan MacColl London, UK

This site is maintained by the MacColl family, aiming to make Ewan's catalogue available to download.
Ewan MacColl is known to most as a songwriter and singer, but he was also of significant influence in the worlds of theatre and radio broadcasting. His art reached huge numbers through the folk clubs, greater numbers through his recordings and untold millions through the radio. ... more

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