Black Jack Davy- M.J. Davis (AR) 1950 Parler D
[My letter designation. From Ozark Folk Songs online- Reel 21 Item 2. http://digitalcollections.uark.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/OzarkFolkSong/id/2069/rec/5 Collected by Merlin Mitchell for Parler, transcribed by Kyle Perrin. Also transcribed by Mary C. Parler Folk Festival Fayetteville, Arkansas June 16 & 17, 1950 Reels 47, 48. Folk Festival of June 16 & 17, 1950.
From Mid-America folklore: Volume 29 Ozark States Folklore Society:
Both "Black Jack Davy" sung by (Mrs.) T. M. Davis and "Gipsy Draly" sung by Mary Jo's sister Oliva Houser are different from the versions Mary Jo (Davis) Henderson remembers. There is a note after the variant from (Mrs.) T. M. Davis explaining that she learned two versions of the song during her childhood. The version she sings was learned from her father, and the other version she taught to her daughter.
This is slightly different than the version sung by Mary Jo's sister, who accompanies Mary Jo on guitar. Now there are three family versions.
R. Matteson 2015]
Black Jack Davy - sung by Mary Jo Davis [Henderson]. Accompanied by sister Fayetteville, Ark. on guitar; February 25, 1950.
Black Jack Davy came a-riding through the woods,
Singing his song so gaily,
He sang so loud he made the wildwoods ring,
And charmed the heart of a lady,
Charmed the heart of a lady.
Says, Little Miss, will you go with me?
He says, Will you be my honey?
I swear by the sword that hangs by my side
You 'll never want for money,
You'll never want for money.
The old man came in late that night,
Inquiring for is lady
The servants thought(?) before he thought,
She's gone with Black Jack Davy,
She's gone with Black Jack Davy.
Go saddle me up my milk white horse,
Go saddle him slow and easy,
I'll ride all night 'til broad daylight
And overtake my lady,
Overtake my lady.
He rode all night 'til the broad day light ,
'Til he came to the edge of the water,
There he looked on the other side,
And there he spied his darling,
There he spied his darling.
Oh, will you forsake your house and home?
Will you forsake your baby?
Will you for sake the one you love
To go with Black Jack Davy?
To go with Black Jack Davy.
Yes, I'll forsake my house and home,
Yes, I'll forsake my baby, Yes, I'll forsake the one I love
To go with Black Jack Davy,
To go with Black Jack Davy.
Then, pull off that little black glove you wear,
Made out of Spanish leather.
Place your little white hand in mine,
And here we'll part forever,
Here we'll part forever.
She pulled off that little black glove she wore,
Made out of Spanish leather,
Placed her little white hand in his,
And there they parted forever,
There they parted forever.