Cher

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I was born in the wagon of a travellin' show
My Mama used to dance for the money they'd throw
Papa would do whatever he could
Preach a little gospel
Sell a couple bottles of Doctor Good

[Chorus]
Gypsys, 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 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
And Papa would'a shot him if he knew what he'd done

[Chorus]
Gypsys, 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]
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, oh
I haven't seen him for a while, oh

[Verse 3]
She was born in the wagon of a travelin' show
Her Mama had to dance for the money they'd throw
Grandpa'd do whatever he could
Preach a little gospel
Sell a couple bottles of Doctor Good

[Chorus]
Gypsys, 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

[Chorus]
Gypsys, 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

Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves is one of the most famous tunes by the iconic American singer Cher. Initially, she released the song as the lead single for her 1971 self-titled album, which featured a similar title. Afterward, the album was re-released with Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves as the title single to avoid confusion with another 1966 album bearing the same name. The song tells a story of a fictional Romani girl who leads a nomadic life and faces social prejudice because of her ancestry.

About Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves

The song tells the story of a 16-year-old Romani girl who leads a life of a wandering gypsy, going from town to town, trying to take up odd jobs and escaping the constant taunts and jabs from the settled folks. The girl's story took a different turn when she falls in love with a man, who abandons her while she is pregnant and alone. This leaves the girl searching for a place where she and her baby can be accepted and loved despite their unconventional lifestyle. The lyrics to the song explore the girl's longing for acceptance and the difficulties that she faces as a Romani woman. The song has since faced scrutiny due to the fact that Cher is not of Romani ancestry. Many people have accused her of cultural appropriation for telling a story that is not hers. Some of Cher's other works that related to minority cultures have also caused uproar such as her wearing clothes of Native American heritage in one of her live shows. In a tweet in 2017, the artist apologized for any harm she may have caused by her work, saying that she never intended for any of her actions to be hurtful.

Despite this controversy, the song's popularity never waned. In fact, it won many accolades, including a Billboard Hot 100 hit in 1971, being a top-five single on the UK charts, and earning Cher a gold record certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The song's melody, written by Bob Stone and produced by Bob Esty, features instruments like the guitar, drums, and a tambourine, which enhances the rustic and folksy feel of the song. Cher's voice accompanies the simplicity of the stripped-down instrumentation of the song flawlessly, and the track has an unmistakable vibe that transports you to a different time and place. The sound of the song perfectly encapsulates the story of the Romani girl in a way that is both authentic and powerful.

Cher has spoken out in recent times about how she perceives her work in the '70s. She admits that the songs she released during that period are no longer her favorite. As a result, she has not performed any of the songs from that era, including Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves, publicly for years. This has made the song a nostalgic tune that takes you back to the good old days when Cher first made her foray into music and captured the hearts of millions of fans worldwide.

Bottomline

In the end, the song remains a classic that stands the test of time. While people may have taken issue with the artist's portrayal of a minority from a culture she doesn't belong to, the song's melody, acting, and lyrics have kept it alive in the memories of generations. Nevertheless, it remains a learning experience for everyone about the importance of sensitivity, respect, and cultural preservation. All in all, gypsys, tramps & thieves is a timeless song about the human condition, perception, and the universality of the desire for belonging.

• Release Date: September 1, 1971
• Artist: Cher