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 I'm sure ain't no surprise
Of the places I have been, oh, and they ain't no lies

I've never had a proper home not one like yours is
I've nearly always had a caravan with horses
And I know you won't believe me though it is the [bad word] to tell
That the living it is hard, oh, but it suits me well

I am I traveler of the seas, I am a sailor
The ocean has been good to me, she ain't no jailer
I can tell a fair old story which I'm sure ain't no surprise
Of the places I have sailed, oh, and they ain't no lies

I've never had a garden or a place with windows
I stand upon the salty deck and feel the wind blow
And I know you won't believe me though it is the [bad word] 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 I'm sure ain't no surprise
Of the places we have played, oh, and it ain't no lies

I've 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 won't believe me though it is the [bad word] to tell
That the living it is hard, oh, but it suits me well