—Incredible String Band version
Blackjack David is the name that I bear
Been alone in the forest for a long time
But the time is come, and when a lady I find
I will love her and hold her, singing through the green green trees
The skin on my hands is like leather, alright.
My face is so hard from the cold wind
But my heart's so warm with the song that I sing
Will charm a fair lady, singing through the green green trees
Fair Eloise rode out that day
From her fine fine home in the morning
In the flush of dawn, came a sound to her ear
Drifting, floating, singing through the green green trees
Last night she slept on a fine feather bed
Far far from Blackjack David
Tonight she'll sleep on the cold cold ground
And love him and hold him, singing through the green green trees
Saddle me up my fine grey mare
Cried the lord of the house next morning
My servants tell me that my daughter is gone
With Blackjack David, singing through the green green trees
Well he rode all day and he rode all night
But he never did find his daughter
But he heard from afar, come drift on the wind
Two voices, laughing, singing through the green green trees
Verse:
| I | IV – I | I | V | ||
| I | IV – I | IV | I | I – V | I |
extra verses:
after "cold cold ground"
Now sixteen summers was all that she'd seen
And her skin was soft as velvet
But she's forsaken her fine fine home
And Blackjack David is singing through the green green trees
final verse
Oh, Blackjack David is the name that I bear
Been alone in the forest for a long time
But now I've found me a lady so fair
And I love her, hold her, singing through the green green trees
The Carter Family version:
Black Jack David came riding through the woods
And he sing so loud and gaily
Made the hills around him ring
And he charmed the heart of a lady, and he charmed the heart of a lady
How old are you my pretty little miss
How old are you my honey
She answered him with a silly smile
I'll be sixteen next Sunday, I'll be sixteen next Sunday
Come go with me my pretty little miss
Come go with me my honey
I'll take you across the deep blue sea
Where you never shall want for money, where you never shall want for money
She pulled off her high heeled shoes
They were made of Spanish leather
She put on her low heeled shoes
And they both went off together, and they both went off together
Last night I lay on a warm feather bed
Beside my husband and baby
Tonight I lay on the cold, cold ground
By the side of Black Jack David, by the side of Black Jack David