The painted lantern circus
With the wagons swinging slowly
On a cold October morning
On a day that should be holy
Winding through the forest
As the sun is just a-breakin'
And I am only seven
And a gypsy in the makin'

Winds a-blowin' through me
And the canvas flaps a-tearin'
And the folks is talkin' low now
'Cause they don't want me to hear 'em
And Uncle says there's trouble
With the bulls along the border
And I'm a-wond'rin' why
And a-wishin' I were older

Many years ago it seems
And many summers ending
The wagon wheels is rustin'
And the axles is a-bendin'
And Grandma's bones is bleachin'
And our hearts is still a-dyin'
But I'm a Gypsy Boy
And there ain't no time for cryin'

Now it's getting colder
And the air is growin' ugly
And the wolves is gettin' bolder
And there ain't no sun above me
And I think it's time to move now
But I don't know where we're goin'
And I know it won't be long now
Before it starts to snowin'

Babies cryin' softly
And the women are a-sighin'
And somewhere in a wagon
There's a soul that must be dyin'
'Cause the crepe is hangin' black
From the window of each lorry
And we'll likely camp at sunset
So's the body can be buried

So the carts will rumble
Though there ain't no road to travel
And I listen to the grindin'
Of the wooden wheels on gravel
And the sad songs and the old songs
Will warm me and they'll hold me
'Til my head at last grows weary
And the arms of sleep enfold me
For I am a Gypsy Boy
And my home is where you find me
For I am a Gypsy Boy
And my home is where you find me