The story-line usually revolves around a woman leaving her home and her "wedded lord" to run off with one or more Gypsies, to be pursued by her husband.
[2] However, in Maguire's song the lady is pursued by her father, and when he catches the pair the "Gypsy" reveals himself to be the "lord of these lands all over".
The song was first recorded by Joe Lynch in Dublin on the Glenside label, which had been set up by Martin Walton in 1952.
[3] In 1954 Rose Brennan's cover was awarded third place by the New Musical Express for the best recording of the year.
[4] Later that year it was selected as the title tune for the film The Black Knight, starring Alan Ladd and Patricia Medina.