Jack and Joe, Lyric Variant 03

This item is part of the I. G. Greer Folksong Collection which consists of more than 300 individual song titles and their variants as collected by Isaac Garfield Greer (1881-1967) from informants, primarily in Ashe, Wilkes and Watauga counties. The collection includes manuscripts, typescript transcriptions produced by Dr. Greer’s clerical staff, and handwritten musical notations. Songs range from traditional Child Ballads, traditional English and Scottish ballads as well as their American variants, to 19th century popular music to musical compositions of local origin.

Ballads

Betrayal--Songs and music

Regret--Songs and music

Love--Songs and music

Give My Love to Nell, O Jack, Jack and Nell, Two Little Lads

AC.113 Isaac Garfield (I.G.) Greer Papers and Recordings

W. L. Eury Appalachian Collection, Appalachian State University

Greer, I. G. (Isaac Garfield), 1881-1967

PDF

English

Text

Jack and Joe

Three years ago, when Jack and Joe
Set sail across the foam,
They each one vowed a fortune to make
Before returning home.
In just one year Jack gained his wealth
And started home that day,
And when the pals shook hands to part
Poor Joe could only say:

Chorus
“Give my love to Nellie, Jack,
And kiss her once for me.
The fairest girl in all the world
I’ know you’ll say ‘tis she.
Treat her kindly, Jack, old Pal,
Tell her that I am well.”
His parting words were, “Don’t forget
To give my love to Nell.”

Two years had passed when Joe at last
Gained wealth enough for life,
And sailed for home across the foam
To make sweet Nell his wife.
But soon he learned that Jack and Nell
One year ago had wed.
And deeply he regretted then
That he had ever said:
Chorus.

One day they met upon the street.
Said Joe, “You selfish whelp,
The very next girl I learn to love,
I’ll kiss her for myself.
Yet every thing in love is fair,
And since you’ve gone and wed,
I’ll not be angry with you Jack.”
And once again he said:
Chorus.


Mrs John M. Picot
Littleton, N.C.

Mrs. John M. Picot

Brown, Native American Ballads - 274 Randolph, 813

113_JackAndJoe_Lyric_03_ocr