Gypsy Rose And I Don't Give A Curse
The Kingston Trio · Other Songs - The Kingston Trio
Seven starving sailors sold their summer homes in Saginaw
to search for something better in Rangoon (in Rangoon)
Down where Salty Sam from Turkistan had organized a
marching band of Mau Maus in the Crazy Horse Saloon.
They harmonized together singing verses of the netherworld
of darkness in an unfamiliar tune
And before the night was over they was a-floatin' down
the river with their belly buttons winkin' at the moon.
Chorus:
Oh, isn't it the same the whole world over?
People seem to go from bad to worse.
Whether you're a fighter or a lover, Gypsy Rose and I don't give a curse.
Seven sorry sisters from the Sun Canal sorority went
strolling on a summer afternoon
Down where little Ricky Vanderpool would work his way
through Sunday school playing his electricfied kazoo
They'd hide their best to back it,
not intending to distract it, singing seven kinds of sorry out of tune,
And before the night was over they was a-floatin' down
the river with their belly buttons winkin' at the moon.
(Chorus, twice)
Gypsy Rose And I Don't Give A Curse
The Kingston Trio's 1962 recording of 'Gypsy Rose And I Don't Give A Curse' stands as a defining example of their folk-rock fusion during the early 1960s. Originally a traditional song, the group's arrangement transformed it into a driving, guitar-heavy track that showcased their signature three-part harmony and energetic performance style. Released during a period when the trio was navigating the transition from pure acoustic folk to incorporating electric instruments and rock rhythms, the song exemplifies their ability to reinterpret traditional material for a modern audience. The track remains a staple of their discography, illustrating their influence on the folk-rock genre and their enduring appeal as one of the most significant folk groups of the mid-century era.