Black Jack Davy- Cook (NC) 1940 Abrams REC
[My transcription. From the Abrams Collection online. I switched the last two stanzas which were backwards.
R. Matteson 2015]
Black Jack Davy-- Recorded on October 3, 1940, Miss Arzeen Cook performs "Black Jack Davy."
1. Black Jack Davy came riding through the field,
A- singing so nice and gaily,
Made fields around him ring,
Till he charmed the heart of a Lady.
Till He charmed the heart of a Lady.
2. "How old are you, my pretty little miss?
How old are you, my lady?"
She answered him with a tee hee har:
"I'll be sixteen next Sunday,
I'll be sixteen next Sunday."
3. "Will you forsake your house and land?
Will you forsake your baby?
Will you forsake your husband dear
And go with the Black Jack Davy?
And go with the Black Jack Davy?
4. She pulled off her low-heeled shoes,
Was made of finest leathy[1]
She put on her high-heeled shoes,
And rode with the Black Jack Davy
And rode with the Black Jack Davy.
5 That night the husband came in,
Inquiring of his lady,
Was posted[1] by a fair young maid:
"She's gone with the Black Jack Davy,
Gone with the Black Jack Davy."
6 Go bring to me my milk-white steed
Go bring to me my derby,
We'll ride east and we'll ride west,
Till I overtake my honey
Till I overtake my honey
7 They rode and they rode till they came to the sea,[3]
The sea looked dark and muddy,
Tears came trinkling down his cheeks,
And there he spied his honey,
And there he spied his honey
8 Last night I lay on a feather bead
Beside of my husband and baby
But tonight I'll sleep on the cold, dark ground,
Beside of Black Jack Davy
Beside of Black Jack Davy.
1. lady?
2. posed; posted is found in another Brown version
3. I switched the last two stanzas which were backwards.