aprilwine
The pride of Halifax, Nova Scotia, April Wine scored a few hits on the AOR charts in the early 80s and actually had a bit of longevity — their first hit was in 1972, and their last was in 1993.

As the followup single to ballad “Just Between You and Me”, the harder-rocking “Sign of the Gypsy Queen” hit #19 on the Mainstream Rock chart and #57 on the Pop Singles chart in 1981. The name of the album was “Nature of the Beast” (#26, Pop Albums).

I was hoping for an 80s cheesetastic “concept video” that which would actually FEATURE the titular Gypsy Queen, outfitted with a kick-ass shawl and an ominous crystal ball as she sat upon her throne, complete with smoke, fire, white-winged doves, obedient Gypsy slaves, a post-apocalyptic setting, etc. Maybe something similar to the early-80s output of Blue Oyster Cult (“Burnin’ for You“, “Dancin’ in the Ruins“), or mid-80s Heart (“How Can I Refuse“). Evidently April Wine didn’t like literal interpretations of its songs and only did performance clips, so the Gypsy Queen remains a mystery:

Lyrics

Lightning smokes on the hillrise
Brought the man with the warning light
Shouting loud “;you had better fly”;
While the darkness can help you hide
Trouble’s comin’ without control
No one’s stayin’ that’s got a hope
Hurricane at the very least
In the words of the gypsy queen

Sign of the gypsy queen
Pack your things and leave
Word of a woman who knows
Take all your gold and you go

Get my saddle and tie it on
Western wind who is fast and strong
Jump on back, he’s good and long
We’ll resist till we reach the dawn
Running seems like the best offense
Staying just don’t make any sense
No one could ever stop it now
Show the cards of the gypsy town

Sign of the gypsy queen
Pack your things and leave
Word of a woman who knows
Take all your gold and you go

Shadows movin’ without a sound
>From the hold of the sleepless town
Evil seems to be everywhere
Heed the spirit that brought despair
Trouble’s comin’ without control
No one’s stayin’ that’s got a hope
Hurricane at the very least
In the words of the gypsy queen

Sign of the gypsy queen
Pack your things and leave
Word of a woman who knows
Take all your gold and you go
Sign of the gypsy queen
Pack your things and leave
Word of a woman who knows
Take all your gold and you go
Sign of the gypsy queen
Pack your things and leave
Word of a woman who knows
Take all your gold and you go

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