Jack's Wife- Smith (FL) pre1950 Morris A
From: Folksongs of Florida- Morris 1950; Three variants have been recovered in Florida. Variants A and C are so close that only two are included here.
THE FARMER'S CURST WIFE (Child, No. 278)
A. "JACK'S WIFE." (Archive 982-42) Recorded from the singing of Mrs. J. H. Smith, Newberry. She and her sister, Mrs. M. M. Keene, sang the song from memory. They learned it from their mother, Mrs. John Hart.
Jack went out to plow his corn,
(Whistling)
He saw the old devil come marching along,
Saying: hi fol diddle dal day.
"Well," said Jack, "what shall I do now?
(Whistling)
"The old devil's come after my horse and my plow?"
Saying: hi fol diddle dal day.
"No, I've not come after your horse and your plow,
(Whistling)
"But your old scolding wife and I shall have her now."
Saying: hi fol diddle dal day.
He took her all upon his back,
(Whistling)
Just like a peddler would his sack,
Saying: hi fol diddle dal day.
He took her to the Hell house door,
(Whistling)
Saying, "Go in there, old woman; don't scold no more."
Saying: hi fol diddle dal day.
One mean little devil run up the wall,
(Whistling)
Saying, "Shake her out, Daddy; she'll murder us all."
Saying: hi fol diddle dal day.
He took her all upon his back,
(Whistling)
And carried her nght back home to Jack,
Saying: hi fol diddle dal day.
"Jackie, O Jackie, I've brought your wife back."
(Whistling)
"No," says Jack, "I don't thank you for that."
Saying: hi fol diddle dal day.
Now the people can all laugh and tell,
(Whistling)
Jack's got a wife they won't have in Hell.
Saying: hi fol diddle dal day.