(verse 1) I was born in the wagon of a traveling show My mama used to dance for the money they’d throw Papa’d do whatever he could Preach a little gospel   Sell a couple bottles of Dr. Good Gypsies tramps and thieves We’d hear it from the people of the town   they’d call us Gypsies tramps and thieves But every night all the men would come around And lay their money down (verse 2) Picked up a boy this side of Mobile Gave him a ride fed him with a hot meal I was sixteen he was twenty-one Rode with us to Memphis And Papa would have shot him if he knew what we’d done Gypsies tramps and thieves We’d hear it from the people of the town   they’d call us Gypsies tramps and thieves But every night all the men would come around        - - - And lay their money down (bridge) 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 I haven’t seen him for a while   (verse 3) She was born in the wagon of a traveling show Her mama used to dance for the money they’d throw Grandpa’d do whatever he could Preach a little gospel Sell a couple bottles of Dr. Good Gypsies tramps and thieves We’d hear it from the people of the town   they’d call us Gypsies tramps and thieves But every night all the men would come around And lay their money down