Black Jack Davy- Winters (TN) 1966 Burton/Manning
[From: Burton and Manning; Folklore- Folksongs I, 1967.
R. Matteson 2015]
BLACK JACK DAVY -- Sung by Harold Winters, October 1966. Most of the Winter's songs were learned from their grandparents and great-grandparents.
1 Black Jack Davy came a-ridin' by, sang so sweet and gaily,
Made the greenwood rock and ring, to charm the heart of a lady,
To charm the heart of a lady.
2. "How old are you my pretty little miss, how old are you my honey?"
"If I don't die from the want of love, I'll be sixteen next Sunday
I'll be sixteen next Sunday.
3. Go with me my pretty little miss go with me, my honey;
Swear by the sword that hangs by my side, you'll never want for money,
You'll never want for money.
4. She pulled off her high-heel shoes all made of Spanish leather;
She put on her low-heeled shoes and they rode off together
And they rode off together.
5. Late that night when her lord came home inquiring for his lady,
The servants said on every hand, "She's gone with the Black Jack Davy,
She's gone with the Black Jack Davy."
6. "Saddle to me my milk-white steed, the bay is not so speedy,
That I might ride and seek my bride who's gone with the Black Jack Davy
Who's gone with the Black Jack Davy."
7. He rode high and he rode low inquiring for his 1ady,
Till he came to an open field and there he a-spied that Davy,
And there he a-spied that Davy.
8. "Would you forsake your new-wedded lord, would you forsake your baby,
Would you forsake your house and land to stay with the Black Jack Davy,
To stay with the Black Jack Davy?"
9. "I'd forsake my new-wedded lord, and I'd forsake my baby;
I'd forsake my honey and land to stay with the Black Jack Davy,
To stay with the Black Jack Davy."