Whistling Gypsy
The Kingston Trio · Other Songs - The Kingston Trio
Down through the valley so shady
He whistled and he sang till the green woods rang
And he won the heart of a lady
Ah dee du, ah dee du da day
Ah dee du, ah dee day dee
He whistled and he sang till the green woods rang
And he won the heart of a lady
She left her father's castle gate
Left her own fond lover, left her servants
And her estate
To follow the gypsy rover
Ah dee du, ah dee du da day
Ah dee du, ah dee day dee
He whistled and he sang till the green woods rang
And he won the heart of a lady
Her father saddled his fastest steed
Searched these valleys all over
Seeking his daughter at great speed
And the whistlin' gypsy rover
Ah dee du, ah dee du da day
Ah dee du, ah dee day dee
He whistled and he sang till the green woods rang
And he won the heart of a lady
At last he came to a castle gate
Along the river Claydee
And there was music and there was wine
For the gypsy and his lady
Ah dee du, ah dee du da day
Ah dee du, ah dee day dee
He whistled and he sang till the green woods rang
And he won the heart of a lady
"He is no gypsy, my father", she said
But Lord of these lands all over
And I will stay till my dying day
With the whistlin' gypsy rover
Ah dee du, ah dee du da day
Ah dee du, ah dee day dee
He whistled and he sang till the green woods rang
Till the green woods rang, till the green woods rang
And he won the heart of a lady
Whistling Gypsy - The Kingston Trio
The Kingston Trio's 1960 recording of "Whistling Gypsy" stands as a defining moment in folk-rock history, blending traditional American folk instrumentation with emerging rock energy. Recorded during the group's peak popularity, the track features the trio's signature harmonies and acoustic guitar work, capturing the spirit of the era's cross-cultural musical exchange. While the song's origins trace back to a 1958 recording by The Weavers, The Kingston Trio's version gained significant traction and helped popularize the gypsy jazz style within the American folk revival. The recording exemplifies the band's ability to adapt traditional material into a fresh, contemporary sound that resonated with audiences across the United States during the early 1960s.