Trad.
Recorded and filmed by Bob Dylan w/band for Masked and
Anonymous (2003)
Tabbed by Eyolf Østrem
Diamond Jo was the name of a steamboat that ran on the upper
Mississippi in the period 1864-83, owned by “Diamond Jo”
Reynolds. (He also built his own railroad from Malvern to Hot Springs
(Arkansas, I believe), after a painful carriage trip to cure his
rheumatism in the healing waters of Hot Springs). The refrain line
“Diamond Jo come and get me” could be a reference to the boat.
Early versions of the song recorded by the Georgia Crackers (1927) and
Charlie Butler (1937), then a prisoner at the Parchman prison.
The song is not related to Diamond Joe on Good As I Been To You, neither musically nor thematically.
F Diamond Joe come and get me C My wife done quit me C G Diamond Joe, you better come and get me, C Diamond Joe
Gonna buy me a jug of rum, Gonna give my baby some Diamond Joe, you better come and get me, Diamond Joe.
Diamond Joe come and get me My wife done quit me Diamond Joe, you better come and get me, Diamond Joe
[Instrumental verse] Gonna buy me a jug of whiskey Gonna make my baby frisky Diamond Joe, you better come and get me, Diamond Joe.
Diamond Joe come and get me My wife done quit me Diamond Joe, you better come and get me, Diamond Joe
[Instrumental verse] Gonna buy me a sack of flour Cook hoe-cakes by the hour Diamond Joe, you better come and get me, Diamond Joe
Diamond Joe come and get me My wife done quit me Diamond Joe, you better come and get me, Diamond Joe
[2 Instrumental verses]
Diamond Joe come and get me My wife done quit me Diamond Joe, you better come and get me, Diamond Joe Diamond Joe come and get me My wife done quit me Diamond Joe, you better come and get me, Diamond Joe
References:
The Story of Joseph Reynolds: http://asms.k12.ar.us/armem/crites/djbio.htm
Riverboats (register): http://members.tripod.com/~Write4801/owners/d.html,
Mudcat entry: http://www.mudcat.org/@displaysong.cfm?SongID=1558 (see also the related threads)