Jack O'Frazier Lyrics

A few years ago I was able to hear a piece of music that had been passed down through my family generation to generation. It struck me deeply, and I have already taught it to my children. I felt a strong connection, through this song, to the family before me. My great-grandmother sang this song to my grandfather and great uncles as she put them to bed at night. This song falls into the category of Southern Appalachian music, but its print origins can be traced to the early 1900's.

Southern Appalachian music is more than just banjos, toothless old men, and hound dogs performing on the porch of a mountain cabin. Southern Appalachian music is a family tradition that conveys stories, ideas and family memories. The song "Jack O'Frazier" also known as "Jack-A-Roe" is more than a piece of music, it is family history.

"Jack O'Frazier" is a song that my great-grandmother Ruby Amidon sang to my grandfather as she rocked him to sleep. It has been passed down through our family from generation to generation. Because southern Appalachian music is an important family tradition, I thought I would post this song so that my children will be able to see it, years from now, and remember their heritage.

Our family's version may be a little different than the folk song your familiar with, but I hope that you find it worth adding to your family's tradition.

Jack O'Frazier

There was a wealthy merchant

In London he did dwell

He had a lovely daughter

The truth to you I'll tell

The truth to you I'll tell

She had sweethearts a plenty

To court her both day and night

But none but Jack O'Frazier could

Maker he heart delight

Oh, could make her heart delight.

Early one morning father went into her room

Said, good morning Mrs. Frazier

If that be your sweethearts name

Oh, if that be you sweethearts name.

Said, yes my dear old father

No other can suit my mind

None back Jack O'Frazier

Can place his heart to mine

Oh, can place his heart to mine.

Father being angry

He went into the town,

And offered 50 francs

To have Jack over bound

Oh, to have Jack over bound

She was left at home

With money at her demand

So she took some traveling notion

To view some far off land

Oh, to view some far off land

She went down to the tailor shop

And dressed in man's array

And landed on a board ship

To land herself away

Oh, to land herself away

Before we set to sailing

Your name I'd like to know

She answered him a smiling

You can call me Damon Rowe

Oh, you can call me Damon Rowe

Your waist it is slender

Your fingers they are small

Your cheeks to red and rosy

To face the cannonball

Oh, to face the cannonball

I know my waist is slender

I know my fingers they are small

But I do not think I'd tremble

To see ten-thousand fall

To see ten-thousand fall

So she was set to sailing

All out on the deep blue sea

And landed ore in France

In the war of Germany

Oh, in the war of Germany.

When she got there

She made a circle around

And among the dead and wounded

Her darling boy she found

Oh, her darling boy she found

She picked him up gently

And carried him into town

And hired a respirator

To cure his deadly wounds

Oh, to cure his deadly wounds.

When he was about recovered

He was very much surprised

To see her darling sweetheart

With the tears all in her eyes

Oh, with the tears all in her eyes.

Oh, with the tears all in her eyes.