Black Jack Davy- Barnes (AR) c.1961 Wolf
[My date. From The John Quincy Wolf Folklore Collection; Lyon College, Batesville, Arkansas.
R. Matteson 2012]
BLACK JACK DAVY- Sung by: Mrs. Nettie Huddleston Barnes; Recorded in Pfeiffer, AR 8/23/61 [This is the date given for another recording by Barnes, I assume this was done at that time]. Recorded by John Quincy Wolf, Jr.,
[Listen: Nettie Huddleston Barnes]
Black Jack Davy coming around the bend
And whispering low to[1] Mary,
"Will you go with me, my pretty little miss?
Will you go with me, my honey?"
"Would you forsake your house and home,
Would you forsake your baby?
Would you forsake all other things,
And go with a Black Jack Davy?
And go with a Black Jack Davy?"
"Yes, I'd forsake my house and home.
Yes, I'd forsake my baby.
Yes, I'd forsake all other things
To go with a Black Jack Davy."
"Last night I lay on a soft feather bed,
Beside my husband's baby.
Tonight I lay on a cold hard plank
Beside of Black Jack Davy."
1. to merry, and perhaps was derived from "and merry". Usually it's "whistlin' loud and merry."