Jack- Foley (FL) pre1950 Morris B
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)
B. "JACK." Obtained from the singing of Mrs. Nellie Mills, Foley, by Miss Doris Phelps, Carbur.
One morning while Jack was following his plow,
The devil stepped up and said, "How do you do, now?"
(Whistle)
Fa lal la la la dal day.
"Oh Lord!" says Jack, "what shall I do now!
The devil's come after my oxen and plow."
(Whistle)
Fa lal la la la dal day.
"No, I've not come'for your oxen and plow,
But your old wife I need her just now."
(Whistle)
Fa lal la la la dal day.
"O, yes," said Jack with all of his heart,
"Wish you and her shall never more part."
(Whistle)
Fa lal la la la dal day.
He picked her up all on his back
And went to Hell do-whiggledy-whack.
(Whistle)
Fa lal la la la dal day.
The first place he came to was Cristaco Fat;
she picked up a board and banged him with that.
(Whistle)
Fa lal la la Ia dal day.
The next place they came to was Beelzebub;
She banged his head with a great big club.
(Whistle)
Fa lal la la la dal day.
Two little devils kept scaling the wall,
Saying, "O carry her back, Daddy, or she'll devour us all."
(Whistle)
Fa lal la la la dal day.
He picked her up as he did before,
And carried her back to her own door.
(Whistle)
Fa lal la la la dal day.
Seven years from home and had just landed back;
She called for the mush she had left in the crack.
(Whistle)
Fa lal la la la dal day
"O Jack, O Jack, I've brought your wife back."
"Oh yes," says Jack, "I'rn sorry for that-"
(Whistle)
Fa lal la la la dal day.
When Jack was sick upon the bed,
She had a pewter pipe and kept pecking his head.
(Whistle)
Fa lal la la la dal day.
"Oh Lord!" said Jack, "what will you do next?
You're not fit for Heaven; they won't have you in Hell."
(Whistle)
Fa lal la la la dal day.