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  • (Trad)

    Oh I am Jack and a jolly tar
    Oh I'm just returned from the sea so far
    Oh I am Jack and a jolly tar
    Oh I'm just returned from the sea so far
    Hey diddley dingo, hey diddley ding

    As Jack was walking through London city
    He heard a squire talking to a lady
    And Jack he heard the squire say
    Tonight with you, love, I mean to stay

    You must tie a string all around your finger
    With the other end hanging out the window
    And I'll slip by and pull the string
    And you must come down and let me in

    Damn me, says Jack, If I don't venture
    For to pull that string hanging out the window
    So he slipped by and he pulled the string
    And the lady came down and let him in

    The squire came by all in a passion
    Saying, Curse the women throughout the nation
    For here I am, no string I've found
    Behold my hopeas all gone aground

    Early in the morning, the sun was gleaming
    The lady woke up and started screaming
    For there's old Jack in his tarry shirt
    And behold his face all streaked with dirt

    Oh what is this, you tarry sailor
    Have you broken in for to steal my treasure
    Oh no, says Jack, I just pulled the string
    And you came down, ma'am, and let me in

    Oh, then says Jack, won't you please forgive me
    I'll steal away so no-one shall see me
    Oh no, says she, Don't stray too far
    For I never will part from my jolly Jack Tar


    As sung by Martin Carthy

Susannes Folksong-Notizen

  • [1959:] [Jack the Jolly Tar] Seafarers know this song better under the title of Do me Ama. Part of its appeal comes from the fact that the common sailor gets the better of the squire in such an audacious fashion. Here Jack is akin to some of the prankish heroes of the 'Arabian Nights', of Chaucer and Boccaccio. Mrs Hooper knew only one verse of the song. Our text is supplied from versions in common oral currency among seamen. Two other Somerset versions are [known], and Whall prints an unlocated set. (English Folk Songs 116)

  • [196?:] A foc'sle song that probably came into being during the 18th century. It derives its story from an old chapbook tale of 'The squire and the farm servant'. The song has appeared in print a few times, most recently as Jack the jolly tar in the 'Penguin Book of English Folk Songs'. It is still occasionally to be heard from traditional countryside singers, and may owe its survival to the fact that in the story the common sailor most cheekily gets the better of the squire - a theme for which country singers show lasting affection. (Notes 'Blow the Man Down')

Quelle: England

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