Black Jack Davy- Schell (NC) 1933 Matteson/Henry
[From Matteson and Henry; Beech Mountain Ballads p. 6; 1936. This is the first version from my grandfather's collection. Apparently the version given by Shellans in 1958 in NC Folklore VI, is a copy of the text and music of this version--only a fake informant and date have been added.
R. Matteson 2015]
Black Jack Davy- sung by Mrs. J. E. Schell of Banner Elk, N.C., July 15, 1933.
1 Black Jack Davy came a-riding through the wood
A-singing so loud and halely;
Many green trees all around him stood.
And he charmed the heart of a lady,
And 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 hee hee hay:
I'll be sixteen next Sunday,
I'll be sixteen next Sunday.
3. Can you go with me, my pretty little miss?
Can you go with me, my lady?
I'll carry you across the deep blue sea.
Where you never shall want for money,
Where you never shall want for money.
4 Will you forsake your home and lands?
Will you forsake your babies?
Will you forsake your husband dear
To go with Black Jack Davy,
To go with Black Jack Davy?
5. I'll forsake my home and lands;
I'll forsake my babies;
I'll forsake my husband dear
To go with Black Jack Davy,
To go with Black Jack Davy.
6. . . .
7. That night the husband coming home
Inquired for his lady;
He soon found out from his two little babes
She's gone with Black Jack Davy,
She's gone with Black Jack Davy.
8 Go saddle me up my milk-white steed;
Go saddle me up my derby;
I'll ride all day and I'll ride all night
Till I overtake my lady,
Till I overtake my lady.
9. He rode all day and he rode all night,
The sea was deep and muddy;
On the other side, he spied his bride,
His bride and Black Jack Davy,
His bride and Black Jack Davy.
10. Have you forsaken your home and lands?
Have you forsaken your babies?
Have you forsaken your husband dear
To go with Black Jack Davy,
To go with Black Jack Davy?
11. Yes I've forsaken my home and lands;
Yes, I've forsaken my babies;
Yes, I've forsaken my husband dear
To go with Black Jack Davy,
To go with Black Jack Davy.
12. Last night you slept in a warm feather bed
All with your husband and babies,
Tonight you sleep on the cold damp ground
With a roving Black Jack Davy,
With a roving Black Jack Davy.
13. Then you take off that long white glove,
All made of Spanish leather
And reach me here your lily-white hand
And I'll bid you adieu forever,
And I'll bid you adieu forever.