The headnote indicates there are three versions of this song, but in a sense there are four. Liszt, of course, was prolific in making numerous renditions of his works, not necessarily as the result of second thoughts, but often—as is the case here—to adapt the piece from one realm to another. In 1860, Liszt wrote Die drei Zigeuner (The Three Gypsies) for voice and piano. He soon made a second version for voice and orchestra and then transcribed that adaptation for voice, with violin and piano accompaniment. In 1885, he fashioned a third version, also for voice and piano, in which he added a few variations for singer Fritz Plank. The version most commonly performed is the original, for voice and piano. The German text is from a Nikolaus Lenau poem about a traveler who encounters three Gypsies and leaves them in admiration of their carefree ways. The song opens with a typically Gypsy-inspired piano introduction, quite in the spirit of the Hungarian Rhapsodies. Thereafter, the piano is given an equal role with that of the singer. In the other versions, the orchestra (or violin and piano) also shares prominent parts with the singer. The song is dramatic and paced slowly at the outset, but soon turns lively, the Gypsy spirit playful and colorful here. The mood shifts back to its dramatic character, then briefly turns lyrical. The lively music reappears, and then this six- or seven-minute song closes darkly, with delightful Gypsy flavors abounding.

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