Almeda Riddle was a friend of mine. I have a photo taken of the two of us right after she sang this song. It's wonderful to find this recording on KZfaq; it's exactly how I remember her. Thank you.

Wow. This lady's version of this is enchanting

This lady make me feel like I'm still in a mother bag. I'm latin, but heart is heart, and this voice told me your history. Thanks for your 52 moppets.

I really like Ms. Almeda's rendition of this cool old song. Her voice is so pretty. Btw, people of the Ozark Mountains have the same heritage and the same musical traditions as the Appalachians..including this song. Just saying because it rarely gets mentioned.

Appalachian folks keeping it alive.

Almeda Riddle sings in old-timey, mountain style. She learned music from her father, and many of her songs go back to the Middle Ages. She has kept the musical tradition of ballad singing alive, and has kept the original versions of many songs from years past. There is a reason that this cd, "Songcather II - The Tradition That Inspired The Movie" was named as it is. Mrs. Riddle was born in 1898 and was singing ballads before she could read. This album, "Songcatcher II - The Tradition That Inspired The Movie" has music for those who want authentic, mountain music. There are many artists on this album. This is Almeda Riddle singing her version of "Black Jack Davey". Enjoy!

She really did love to sing. She learned numerous versions of many songs and could pull them out in a heartbeat until she passed away! She was a walking encyclopedia of mountain-folk music. I consider her almost as a female Doc Watson, as far as loving the songs. You can't touch his playing...now way. I will always miss that dear, dear man. My best, Moppet

A man named MacBee (sp) who was a moonshiners & songster on the mtn at Sewanee, TN, on the road down to Cowan, recorded this song in the 1950s. Different tune & words, same desolate story. My philosophy professor had known him & played the vinyl for us. His words included, "the lord of the manor he soon came home, inquired he about his la-ay-deeee; A servant said she 's left you now & gone with Black Jack Day-hee-veeeee? Gone with Black Jack Day-veeee." Definitely old English ballad.

This woman's singing is pure legendary. A voice made of over-baring platinum. I would love to hear her sing hymns and praises to Jesus!!!

These songs are nostalgic gems, certainly here in Mexico we celebrate today the mothers day, so congratulations.

Almeda was one grand lady. I used to sit and listen to her for hours when she would sing on the square at Mt. View, Arkansas. I learned Babes In The Woods from her. Also Gypsy Davey, but over the years I've forgotten the exact tune. Thanks for posting this. RIP grand lady.

This is hauntingly beautiful.

I just got chills from this...

Thank you so much! I was lucky to get to see my daughter and grandson today. It's nice to see family. My best to you. I wish you and all your family a happy day, and a Happy Mother's Day to all the women in your family! Thanks for listening and your nice wishes! My best to you always. Barbara

Wow ! Stunning.

Awesome. Thank you for sharing.

I don't really have much knowledge. I have just 'tracked' music since I was very little - a strange habit for a child. I like to see how music "fits together" & that is why I was so happy to see the movie The Songcatcher released. I love bluegrass & I love Celtic. I kept hearing the same EXACT music note patterns in songs. My uncle & I argued for years that they had nothing in common. When the movie came out & Johny Cash commented on the subject, he finally grinned & agreed. I just love music!

with all thats happening now its music like this that we should appreciate one another more. very nice

🇧🇷 Sim, eu gosto

It is. It comes from Child #200 which is the origin of both songs. Some say it is from old Scottish ballads and some say it is an old Irish ballad...and some say it is an old English ballad. Almeda Riddle learned these versions of the songs from her father and her tune goes way, way back. It is a different tune than the modern ones that I love. I do love history & researching music, so I really enjoy this song! Thank you so much for listening. I finally have a computer again! My best, Moppet

What a beautiful song.

Wonderful

This is a winner, Moppet. Honest and true singing for the joy of it. Thanks, Ed

Amazing!

PERFECT!

I love this song :)

grandma used to sing this she told me it's about a Drifter gambler that charm the heart of a lady

Thank you so much for uploading this. Fell in love with almeda years ago but coukd never find the recording of this song

this best music ever

amazing

What wonderful memories you have! I love her music & in fact collect as much of her music as I can find. I am glad you enjoyed this. I appreciate your comment because I see that there is no info on where to purchase or a site for her (if she has one). I try to do that on all videos. If I am exhausted or very ill, I forget to do. If I get a comment & see the missing info I go back & fix. I will do so on this. I like artist or their families to get sales!

Love it

Fun song to listen to. Fun to sing too.

I've heard many versions but the lyrics to this one are my favorite

Thanks

she is really good

Stunning..think i heard a rocabilly version of this Warren Smith i think...

I could would love that lady platomically for ever

A master piece if ever l heard one, what else can l say (Gypsy Billy)

I am so glad you enjoy her music. I love it also. I have at least one other song by her up and perhaps more. You can type in her name, mountain music (if you like the genre), or anything almost into the Search Channel on my Channel Page. I have other music by her if you have anything else that's a favorite. I sort of go by what is asked or liked. Thank you for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it very much, Moppet

lol - what can I say :-) I was never a Dylan fan myself - but a while back I really got into first his early stuff, and then, his live stuff with the Band. After that the odd track. I'll listen to anything though - as long as it's good (have a look at my favourites ;-) But at the end of the day I love a good song. And this is one for sure.

Lovely track! I wonder is that where Dylan got the phrase "boots of Spanish leather"

Likewise! The raggle taggle gypsy connection was how I landed here - see the video "Fair Margaret and Sweet William-Tim O'Brien" (also from MyMoppet52) I commented there and MyMoppet52 mentioned this track. I know it with a different melody - have a listen to the Planxty version if you dont know it

"Blackjack Davey come a-ridin' on by, A-whistlin' loud and merry. Made the woods around him ring, And he charmed the heart of a lady, Charmed the heart of a lady. How old are you, my pretty little miss, How old are you, my honey?" She answered to him with a lovin' smile I'll be sixteen come Sunday, Be sixteen come Sunday. Come and go with me, My pretty little miss, Come and go with me, my honey. Take you where the grass grows green, You never will want for money, You never will want for money. Pull off, pull off them high-heeled shoes All made of Spanish leather. Get behind me on my horse And we'll ride off together, We'll both go off together. Well, she pulled off them high-heeled shoes Made of Spanish leather. Got behind him on his horse And they rode off together, They both rode off together. At night the boss came home Inquiring about his lady. His servant spoke before she thought, She's been with Blackjack Davey, Rode off with Blackjack Davey. Well, saddle for me my coal-black stud, He's speedier than the gray. I rode all day and I'll ride all night, And I'll overtake my lady, I'll bring back my lady. Well, he rode all night till the broad daylight, Till he came to a river ragin', And there he spied his darlin' bride In the arms of Blackjack Davey, Wrapped up with Blackjack Davey. Pull off, pull off them long blue gloves All made of the finest leather. Give to me your lily-white hand And we'll both go home together, We'll both go home together. Well, she pulled off them long blue gloves All made of the finest leather, Gave to him her lily-white hand And said good-bye forever. Bid farewell forever. Would you forsake your house and home, Would you forsake your baby? Would you forsake your husband, too, To go with Blackjack Davey, Ride off with Blackjack Davey? Well, I'll forsake my house and home, And I'll forsake my baby. I'll forsake my husband, too, For the love of Blackjack Davey, Love my Blackjack Davey. Last night I slept in a feather bed Between my husband and baby. Tonight I lay on the river banks In the arms of Blackjack Davey, Love my Blackjack Davey"

as others have noted, this tune is a centuries old English ( Scottish? ) folk song in the tragic lament tradition....for a great version, check Steeleye Span's version from the 1970's

Pt. 2... If you ever would like to share a jpg of your photo, I would love to see it. I could just keep it private in my collection, or with your permission I would use it in the next video I put up of Ms. Riddle's. I'm not sure, but didn't her dad say she was his favorite son? I loved that! (If I have her mixed up w/another mountain singer, I apologize. I'll look that up.That singer had 100's of variations of songs & could sing them in an instant. Loved your comment.Thank you so much, Moppet

Thanks! Dylan gets a hard time for using bit and pieces (or more) of other people's work. I think it would have been fair enough (it being in the 'folk' tradition) but he was often sparing with giving credit (even retrospectively once called on it).

Woody Guthrie did a song similar to this, Gypsy Davy?, it had the same tune. Now I know where he got it from.

for those wondering about the origins of this song, and its variants : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Raggle_Taggle_Gypsy been learning to play this on my banjo, clawhammer style, and trying to listen to different versions of it. do love her voice

Lyric Blackjack Davey came riding by, Whistling so merrily He made the woods all around him ring And he charmed the heart of a lady And he charmed the heart of a lady Come with me my pretty little one, Come with me my honey I swear by the beard upon my face You'll never want for money You'll never want for money She took off her high heeled boots, Made of spanish leather Jumped behind him on his horse And they rode off together And they rode off together That night her husband, he came home, Looking for his lady The maid she spoke before she thought She's gone with the Blackjack Davey She's gone with the Blackjack Davey Saddle me up my coal black steed, The white one's not so speedy I rode all day, and I'll ride all night And I'll overtake my lady And I'll overtake my lady He rode all night till the broad daylight, The come to the river shady And there he spied his own sweet bride In the arms of Blackjack Davey In the arms of Blackjack Davey Would you forsake your house and home, Would you forsake your baby Would you forsake your own wedded lord To ride with the Blackjack Davey To ride with the Blackjack Davey Last night I slept in a goosefeather bed, Beside my husband and baby Tonight I sleep on the cold, cold ground In the arms of Blackjack Davey In the arms of Blackjack Davey A new world version of the traditional Gypsy Davey song with a tune from Almeda Riddle. Child #200 Roud-1 filename[ BLCKJCK2 TUNE FILE: BLCKJCK2 CLICK TO PLAY DC

Oh goodness she looks like my mamaw lol

the raggle taggle gypsy o' so similar.

Wait theres a song catcher 2

Does the song have anything to do with Raggle Taggle Gypsy?

u don't hear good misc like this anymore

Ms. Tree trunks?

This almost sounds like a sea shanty

An old song from the British Isles about a Gypsy and a young wife and NOT about a black man

Must mention this, , , , the song is Not about a black man but a Gypsy fella and a gorgio lady who fancies a bit of rough ,

This reminds me of listening to my grandmother draggin me to church. Singing all sorts of stupid shit. Worst nonsense you'll ever hear. Sounds remarkable similar to this but my grandmother was a big time holey roller. I remember on my 9th birthday saving up a few bucks and walked to buy gas and matches. I hid the gas and matches in the bushes and was gonna wait right before till she started singing. I wanted to burn that mfer down but it wasnt enough gas. They wouldve got out.

#ugottalisten2b4udie