232. Black Jack Davey (Child 200) - (Traditional)

Probably the best known variation of "The Gypsy Laddie", also known as "The Raggle Taggle Gypsies", "Clayton Boone", "Johnny Faa", "The Lady and the Gypsy", "Harrison Brady", "The Heartless Lady" and "Seven Yeller Gypsies," and so on.

This version is especially popular in America, having been passed down from Woody Guthrie to Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan. It was also recorded by The Carter Family, and, later, The New Lost City Ramblers, as "Black Jack David."

Other recordings of "Black Jack Davey" include Barbara Dane, Arlo Guthrie, Steeleye Span and The Incredible String Band, though Mile Heron wrote new lyrics.

A watered-down sentimentalised version, where the gypsy turns out to be a rich lord, was recorded by The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem ("The Whistling Gypsy") and The Highwaymen ("The Gypsy Rover"). Of course the girl in this case does not leave a husband, but merely her father.

The version I sing here, if I remember rightly, is from a book of Peggy Seeger's songs, though obviously it is very different from the way she sings it.

This song is on my fourth CD: "PIGS MIGHT FLY and Other Politically Incorrect Ballads."

You can watch a playlist of my renditions of the Child ballads:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B2D0D5657EA394E4

My website is here: raymondcrooke.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• folk
• song
• ballad
• love
• dylan
• carter
• guthrie
• seeger
• raggle
• taggle
• gypsy
• laddie
• whistling
• rover

[SirCoughsalot]

I wonder if this could be related to House Carpenter somehow?

[raymondcrooke]

@SirCoughsalot There are a lot of similarities in the stories of the old ballads. They could well be related.

[BarnacleBillsBastard]

Not as big on your style, but I think you've done a good job. I love this song.

[raymondcrooke]

It's not my usual style. I just thought I'd try something different with this song. Thanks for your comment.

[TheLukeJefferies]

crap

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks for your constructive criticism.

[MrFoundationduffel]

play to hard adn i dont like ur voice...

[bigleg77]

TheLukeJeffries: ain't no such thing as crap boy

[ramron333]

totally agree cant play cant sing can dance a little

[BarnacleBillsBastard]

Sure :)