Romano Rai (Romany Rye) (Traditional, English)
I’m a Romano Rai, just an old didikai,
I build all my temples beneath the blue sky,
I live in a tent and I don’t pay no rent,
and that’s why they call me the Romano Rai.
Didi-a-didi-a-didi-di-kai, chavves,
Tika-dika-tika-a-lai
Your Daddus tryin’ to sell a mush a kushto grai.
I’m a Romano rai, just an old didikai,
I live in a mansion beneath the blue sky,
I was born in a ditch, so I won’t ever grow rich,
But that’s why they call me the Romano Rai.
Tikka, tikka, didikai, tikka, tikka, didikai
That’s why they call him the Romano Rai
Tikka-tikka-didikai, tikka tikka, didikai,
That’s why they call him the Romani Rai.
I’m a Romano Rai, a true didikai,
My temple’s a mansion beneath the blue sky,
I’m a Romano Rai, a true didikai,
just campin’ around, on any ol’ ground,
But that’s why they call him the Romano Rai.
*Didikai is a term than Romanichal (British) call mixed-blood Romani.
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 