R
Robert Harrison
Guest
Sir John of Salingbride,
Set forth from the town of Elderly
With Joseph his scribe.
When but ten miles from his home
They did perchance to meet
A clan of Romanii who did oft roam
Countryside or Towns Street,
Selling their wares to all who had
A copper coin or two.
Oft on their journeying found sad
Their existence by but a few,
Who deemed their very presence
A terrible bad omen.
For fear that the towns residents
Would lose their women
To the dark and swarthy Romanii men,
Whose dark eyes did hold
Within their gaze a damsel, who often
Dared venture far to bold.
And captured by the passionate look
Did willingly go to hidden nook.
Sir John, hailed Thomas Cleverly,
The leader of the clan,
How travel you this road from Elderly
With Thomas your man.
Well aday old friend and I do latcho drom,
For I am off to Biggleswade
Like you I to have ware to gather a tidy sum
For taxes must be paid.
Then latcho drom and kushti bok friend
You to my Romani brother,
Be sure to set your vardos at meadows end
And pay respects to mother
Though you be a Gorjia and not a Romani
Your hearts of Didikai stock
And may you receive the blessings of the Kashali,
Latcho drom and kushti bok.
A friend to all the Romani far and wide,
Was known the name of Sir John of Salingbride.
Set forth from the town of Elderly
With Joseph his scribe.
When but ten miles from his home
They did perchance to meet
A clan of Romanii who did oft roam
Countryside or Towns Street,
Selling their wares to all who had
A copper coin or two.
Oft on their journeying found sad
Their existence by but a few,
Who deemed their very presence
A terrible bad omen.
For fear that the towns residents
Would lose their women
To the dark and swarthy Romanii men,
Whose dark eyes did hold
Within their gaze a damsel, who often
Dared venture far to bold.
And captured by the passionate look
Did willingly go to hidden nook.
Sir John, hailed Thomas Cleverly,
The leader of the clan,
How travel you this road from Elderly
With Thomas your man.
Well aday old friend and I do latcho drom,
For I am off to Biggleswade
Like you I to have ware to gather a tidy sum
For taxes must be paid.
Then latcho drom and kushti bok friend
You to my Romani brother,
Be sure to set your vardos at meadows end
And pay respects to mother
Though you be a Gorjia and not a Romani
Your hearts of Didikai stock
And may you receive the blessings of the Kashali,
Latcho drom and kushti bok.
A friend to all the Romani far and wide,
Was known the name of Sir John of Salingbride.
