My name is jan the gypsy
I travel the land.
There are no chains about me
I am me own man.
I can tell a fair old story which Im sure aint no surprise
Of the places I have been, oh,
And they aint no lies.

Ive never had a proper home,
Not one like yours is.
Ive nearly always had a caravan
With horses.
And I know you wont believe me
Though it is the truth to tell
That the living it is hard, oh,
But it suits me well.

I am I traveller of the seas,
I am a sailor.
The ocean has been good to me,
She aint no jailor.
I can tell a fair old story which Im sure aint no surprise
Of the places I have sailed, oh,
And they aint no lies.

Ive never had a garden,
Or a place with windows.
I stand upon the salty deck,
And feel the wind blow.
And I know you wont believe me
Though it is the truth to tell
That the living it is hard, oh,
But it suits me well.

My mother was a fire-eater,
fore she desert us.
So when I was only seven years old
I joined the circus.
And I can tell a fair old story which Im sure aint no surprise
Of the places we have played, oh,
And it aint no lies.

Ive never had no money,
And no hope to get none.
I can always get a penny,
When there is good reason.
And I know you wont believe me
Though it is the truth to tell
That the living it is hard, oh,
But it suits me well.