Black Jack David- Warren Smith (MS) 1959 REC
[From recording on Sun Records, 250. In August of 1956 following Smith's successful first "rockabilly" release (Rock & Roll Ruby), he went back to the Sun Records studio to record "Ubangi Stomp" with the B side, "Black Jack David."
At that time his version may be the oldest song ever recorded by a rock and roll (rockabilly) performer [ref. Wiki]. It appears to be a re-write of Cliff Carlisle/Tyler "country version" with a different ending. Stanza 4 obviously is not traditional- after Black Jack offers to marry her somehow it's now OK for her to run off with him when it wasn't before.
The provenance of his version is unknown.
R. Matteson 2015]
Black Jack David- Recorded by Warren Smith; 1956; Sun Records
[Guitar solo]
1. Black Jack David come around through the woods,
Singin' so loud and merry,
His voice kept ringin' through the green green trees
He spied a fair-haired maiden,
He spied a fair-haired maiden.
2. "Would you forsake your husband dear?
Would you forsake your baby?
Would you forsake your fine, fine home
And go with Black Jack David,
Go with Black Jack David?"
[Guitar solo]
3. No, dear Jack, I cannot go
Away and leave my baby;
I cannot forsake my husband and home
And go with you, Black Jack David,
Go with you, Black Jack David.
4. Listen, dear lass, my name is Jack,
I've come from afar
Lookin' for a fair-haired lass like you;
Won't you come and be my bride,
Come and be my bride.
5. Yes, I'll forsake my husband dear,
And I'll forsake my baby,
I'll forsake my fine, fine home
And go with you, Black Jack David,
Go with you, Black Jack David.
6. Last night she slept on a fine feather bed
Beside her husband and baby,
Tonight she slept on the cold, cold, ground
Beside old Black Jack David
Beside old Black Jack David.