Black Jack Davy- Berry (AR) 1960 Parler G
[My letter designation, Parler G. From Ozark Folk Song Collection online; Reel 335, Item 11. Collected by Bill Reynolds for Mary C. Parler. Transcribed by Bill Reynolds
Listen:
http://digitalcollections.uark.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/OzarkFolkSong/id/165/rec/4
R. Matteson 2015]
Black Jack Davy- Sung by Mr. Fred Berry of Yellville, Ark. on January 13, 1960.
Black Jack Davy came riding down the road,
And he sang so loud and gaily.
He made the green woods around him sing,
And charmed the heart of a lady,
And charmed the heart of a lady.
"How old are you my pretty little miss?"
"How old are you my honey?"
"How old are you my pretty little miss?"
"I'll be twenty-one next Monday."
"I'll be twenty-one next Monday."
"Come with me my pretty little miss,
Oh, come with me my honey."
"Come with me my pretty little miss,
And you'll never want for money."
"And you'll never want for money."
She took off her high-heeled shoes
All made of Spanish leather.
She put on her riding boots,
And they rode off together. [repeat last line]
In came the young landlord that night,
Inquiring for his lady.
"She's not here the answer was given,
She's gone with Black Jack Davy."
"Saddle up the iron-gray horse,
The brown one's not so speedy,
I'll ride all day and I'll ride all night,
Till I overtake my lady."
He came to the bank of a river,
The water was deep and muddy,
He cast his eyes on the other side
And there he saw his lady.
"Oh, how could you leave your house and lands,
How could you leave your husband,
How could you leave your three little babes,
And go with Black Jack Davy
And go with Black Jack Davy?"
"Oh, it's I care nothing for my house and lands,
It's I care nothing for my husband,
It's I care nothing for my three babes,
For I've gone with Black Jack Davy
For I've gone with Black Jack Davy."
"Oh, I'll go home and weep and wait,
As I rock my babies.
I'll never see my sweet wife again,
She's gone with Black Jack Davy,
She's gone with Black Jack Davy."