I think it's worth posting the entries from the Traditional Ballad Index.
-Joe Offer-Diamond Joe (I)
DESCRIPTION: Singer tells of ranch-owner Diamond Joe, who mistreats his workers, talks too much, and lies. Singer has tried to quit three times, but Joe has talked him out of it. When he dies, "Give my blankets to my buddies And give the fleas to Diamond Joe"
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1959 (recording, Cisco Houston)
KEYWORDS: lie work boss cowboy worker
FOUND IN: US
REFERENCES (1 citation):
DT, DIAMONJ2
RECORDINGS:
Cisco Houston, "Diamond Joe" (on CHouston01, CHoustonCD01, FMUSA)
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "The State of Arkansas (The Arkansas Traveler II)" [Laws H1] (tune, lyrics)
Notes: This should not be confused with "Diamond Joe (II)", a river shanty with the distinctive chorus, "Diamond Joe, better come and get me, Diamond Joe." "Diamond Joe (I)" has no chorus, although most verses end with the name of Diamond Joe. Some have speculated that Cisco Houston and/or Lee Hays adapted the song from "The State of Arkansas," but there is no evidence. - PJS
This is one of those really confusing things. There is a third "Diamond Joe" song, also about a ranch owner, for which see DIAMONJO in the Digital Tradition. It's not the same song as this one, to my mind (the singer doesn't like his work, but it's more because of loneliness) -- but it's a Lomax item, and who knows what the Lomaxes did to produce it? - RBW
File: RcDJoe1Diamond Joe (II)
DESCRIPTION: Mostly floating verses with a hint of narrative; singer goes "up on the mountain, give my horn a blow...." "Ain't gonna work in the country, neither on (Parchman?) farm...." Chorus: "Diamond Joe, come-a get me, Diamond Joe"
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1937 (recording, Charlie Butler)
LONG DESCRIPTION: Mostly floating verses with a hint of narrative; singer goes "up on the mountain, give my horn a blow/Thought I heard Miss Maybelle say, yonder comes my beau." "Ain't gonna work in the country, neither on (Parchman?) farm/I'm gonna stay till my Maybelle come, she gon' call-a me Tom." Chorus: "Diamond Joe, come-a get me, Diamond Joe"
KEYWORDS: love work floatingverses nonballad
FOUND IN: US(SE)
REFERENCES (1 citation):
DT, (DIAMONJ3 -- though this may be at least partly a parody)
RECORDINGS:
Charlie Butler, "Diamond Joe" (AFS, 1941; on LCTreas)
Notes: This should not be confused with the cowboy complaint song "Diamond Joe (I)," an entirely separate song.
Art Thieme has suggested that the Diamond Joe referred to in this song is a steamboat rather than a person. - PJS
File: RcDiJoIIGo to the Ballad Search form
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