Traditional / Arrangement Bob Dylan / 4:56
Musician: Bob Dylan: vocals, guitar / Recording Studio: Bob Dylan Garage Studio, Malibu, California: May 1993 Producer: Bob Dylan / Sound Engineer: Micajah Ryan
“Jack-a-Roe” is known in Anglo-Saxon countries under different titles, such as “Jack Monroe,” “Jack Went A-Sailing,” and “The Love of Polly and Jack Monroe.” This traditional song, certainly of English origin, is one of the ballads listed by Cecil Sharp in his famous and valuable book English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, published in 1917. “Jack-a-Roe” recounts the tale of a wealthy merchant’s daughter in London who has all the men at her feet, but only has eyes for Jack the sailor, dubbed “Jack-a-Roe.” This song inspired some beautiful adaptations among folksingers, including Tom Paley and Joan Baez. The Grateful Dead also included it in their repertoire (and on the live acoustic double album Reckoning, 1981).
The problem with “Jack-a-Roe” comes from the sound input. This time there is a weakness in Dylan’s vocal. When he sings the lowest notes, he is hard to understand. His guitar playing is perplexing. While there are some “frizzed” strings (3:43), the emotion comes through clearly. Nevertheless, he should have chosen a better take.