Time, You Old Gipsy Man

Time, you old gipsy man,

Will you not stay,

Put up your caravan,

Just for a day?

All things I'll give you,

Will you be my guest?

Bells for your jennet

Of silver the best,

Goldsmith shall beat you

A great golden ring,

Peacocks shall bow to you,

Little boys sing,

Oh, and sweet girls will

Festoon you with may,

Time, you old gypsy,

Why hasten away?

Last week in Babylon,

Last night in Rome,

Morning, and in the crush

Under Paul's dome;

Under Paul's dial

You tighten your rein

Only a moment

And of once again;

Off to some city

Now blind the womb,

Off to another

Ere that's in the tomb.

Time, you old Gipsy Man,

Will you not stay,

Put up your caravan

Just for a day?

Ralph Hodgson