I was born in the wagon of a travellin' show

 My mother used to dance for the money they'd throw

 Father would do whatever he could

 Preach a little gospel

 And sell a couple bottles of doctor good

 Gypsys, tramps, and thieves

 We'd hear it from the people of the town

 They'd call us gypsys, tramps, and thieves

 But every night all the men would come around

 And lay their money down

 We picked up a boy just south of mobile

 Gave him a ride, filled him with a hot meal

 I was sixteen, he was twenty-one

 Rode with us to memphis

 My father woulda shot him if he knew what he'd done

 Gypsys, tramps, and thieves

 We'd hear it from the people of the town

 They'd call us gypsys, tramps, and thieves

 But every night all the men would come around

 And lay their money down

 I never had schoolin' but he taught me well

 With his smooth southern style

 Three months later i'm a gal in trouble

 And i haven't seen him for a while, uh-huh

 I haven't seen him for a while, uh-huh

 She was born in the wagon of a travellin' show

 Her mama had to dance for the money they'd throw

 Grandpa'd do whatever he could

 Preach a little gospel
 And sell a couple bottles of doctor good

 Gypsys, tramps, and thieves

 We'd hear it from the people of the town

 They'd call us gypsys, tramps, and thieves

 But every night all the men would come around

 And lay their money down

 Gypsys, tramps, and thieves

 We'd hear it from the people of the town

 They'd call us gypsys, tramps, and thieves

 But every night all the men would come around

 And lay their money down