From the 1903 operetta “Babes in Toyland”.
Words by Glen MacDonough.
Music by Victor Herbert.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- I am a Romany Rye
A timorous sprite of the wild wood
I dabble in magic
Both comic and tragic
A witch I have been from my childhood
Great is my mystical might
The blizzard and avalanche mind me
I’m likewise a voudoo
At casting a hoodoo
A qualified artist you’ll find me
Chorus
Floretta, Floretta the gypsy am I
The past or the future to tell you I’ll try
Your fortune I’ll read from your palm at a glance
Pray notice I also collect in advance
Floretta, Floretta the gypsy am I
The past or the future to tell you I’ll try
Your fortune I’ll read from your palm at a glance
Pray notice I also collect in advance
- Are you unhappy in love?
And does she presume to ignore you?
I’ll give you a philtre
Which quickly will wilt her
And cause her to madly adore you
If to be painfully rich
You find yourself ready and willing
You may aquire millions
Or billions and trillions
By buying this charm for a shilling
Sung here by Vancha March: