The original group consisted of Alvin Pleasant Delaney Carter (A.P.; 1891-1960), his wife, Sara Dougherty Carter (autoharp and guitar; 1898-1979), and Maybelle Addington Carter (guitar; 1909-1978). Maybelle Carter (later popularly known as Mother Maybelle Carter) was married to A.P.'s brother Ezra (Eck) Carter. All three were born and raised in southwestern Virginia where they were immersed in the tight harmonies of mountain gospel music and shape note singing. Maybelle Carter's distinctive and innovative guitar playing style quickly became a hallmark of the group.
The Carters got their start on July 31, 1927 when A.P. convinced Sara and Maybelle (pregnant at the time) to make the journey from Maces Springs, Virginia to Bristol, Tennessee to audition for record producer Ralph Peer who was seeking new talent for the relatively embryonic recording industry. They received $50 for each song they recorded.
In the Fall of 1927 the Victor recording company released a double-sided 78 rpm record of the group performing "Wandering Boy" and "Poor Orphan Child". In 1928 another record was released with "The Storms Are on the Ocean" and "Single Girl, Married Girl". This one proved very popular.
They stopped touring and recording in 1943.
In 1987, the three daughters of Maybelle Carter - June Carter (also known as June Carter Cash, following marriage to Johnny Cash), Helen Carter and Anita Carter, along with June Carter's daughter Carlene Carter, appeared as the Carter Family and were featured on a 1987 television episode of Austin City Limits along with Johnny Cash.
The Carters were elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1970 and were given the nickname "The First Family of Country Music". In 1988, the Carter Family was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and received its Award for the song "Will the Circle Be Unbroken". In 1993, the U.S. Postal Service issued a commemorative postage stamp honoring A.P., Sara, and Maybelle. In 2001, the group was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor. In 2005, the group received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Carter Family III carries on the tradition. The group consists of A.P. Carter and Sarah Carter’s grandson Dale Jett, Maybelle Carter’s grandson John Carter Cash and his wife Laura Cash.
For more details, see the Carter Family biography at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/carterfamily/peopleevents/p_carters.html
Blackjack David
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Singing so loud and gaily
Made the hills a round him ring
Then 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
Answered him with a silly little smile
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, both went off together
Last night I lay on a warm feather bed
Side my husband and baby
Today I lay on the cold, cold ground
Side of Black Jack Davey, side of Black Jack Davey
The Carter Family's song Black Jack David tells the story of a young woman who falls for the charm of a wandering stranger named Black Jack David. The song begins with Black Jack David running through the woods, singing loudly and charming the hearts of all those around him. His singing even manages to capture the heart of a young lady. He asks her how old she is, to which she responds with a "silly little smile" that she will turn 16 on the following Sunday.
Black Jack David then asks the woman to come away with him across the deep blue sea, where she will never want for money. The woman, smitten by Black Jack David's charm, consents to leave with him. She takes off her high heeled shoes made of Spanish leather and puts on her low heeled ones. They leave together and are not seen again until the woman is found lying dead next to Black Jack on the cold ground, leaving behind her husband and baby.
The song explores themes of love, temptation, and the dangers of giving into one's desires. The woman's decision to leave her family for Black Jack David and their subsequent demise is a cautionary tale that warns listeners to be wary of seductive strangers.
Line by Line Meaning
Black Jack Davey come a running through the woods
Black Jack Davey was wandering in the woods.
Singing so loud and gaily
He was singing loudly and happily.
Made the hills a round him ring
His voice echoed and filled the hills.
Then charmed the heart of a lady, charmed the heart of a lady
He won the heart of a woman he met in the woods.
How old are you my pretty little miss
He opened with a question about her age.
How old are you my honey
He asked affectionately.
Answered him with a silly little smile
She replied with a playful grin.
I'll be sixteen next Sunday, be sixteen next Sunday
She divulged that she was almost sixteen years old.
Come go with me my pretty little miss
He proposed a journey with her.
Come go with me my honey
He repeated to emphasize his desire to have her join him.
I'll take you across the deep blue sea
He promised to take her across the ocean.
Where you never shall want for money, where you never shall want for money
He assured her that she would never need to worry about money again.
She pulled off her high heeled shoes
The woman removed her fancy shoes.
They were made of Spanish leather
Her shoes were expensive and of high quality.
She put on her low heeled shoes
She exchanged her fancy shoes for simpler ones.
And they both went off together, both went off together
The woman went with Black Jack Davey on his journey.
Last night I lay on a warm feather bed
The woman reminisced about her comfortable bed from the night before.
Side my husband and baby
She was sleeping with her family.
Today I lay on the cold, cold ground
She contrasted her previous comfort with her current situation of being outside and exposed.
Side of Black Jack Davey, side of Black Jack Davey
She was with Black Jack Davey on this cold night instead of her comfortable bed with her family.
Writer(s): A. P. Carter
Contributed by Carter E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
guy wolff
Black Jack David came riding through the woods
And He sang so loud and gaily
Made the hills a round him ring
And 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 those low heeled shoes
And they both rode off together, and they both rode off together
Last night I lay on a warm feather bed
Side my husband and baby
Tonight I’ll lay on the cold, cold ground
By the side of Black Jack David, by the side of Black Jack David :)
Nyneeve Anya
My mom used to sing this when I was little. First time in decades I’ve heard it. And as an adult it dawns on me she was just a child of 16 and already had a husband and child. Perfectly normal at the time this first started being sung. How much society has changed in a hundred years.
Marta Acosta
I always thought she was being coy and maybe tweaking the truth a bit when she said she was about to turn sixteen. But the beauty of poetry and lyrics is that many interpretations are possible.
Rajiv Surendra
Haunting....and so incredibly beautiful. Love Maybelle's playing more than I have words to describe.
pollywanda
This is the absolute best version of Black Jack David. Nice to see the written words, also best text!
Irving Brode
I have a tattoo of Maybelle 's first cousin / neighbor playing a guitar... My great grandma.
Arkansas Red
Thanks so much 50's Johnny for keeping the great old songs alive. Keep 'em coming.
acapella Patrick
Never heard this one before. Love it
Robert Sutliff
God bless the Carter Family.
edejan
I heard a current car commercial which uses some of the guitar riffs from this song - and they're pretty distinctive. The Carter Family rules!
T4TEXASTOM JOHNNYCAT
This is obviously great.... after all, it IS the Carter Family. Waylon also does a fine version.🎸