There was one time

in olden times

in farmers’ times

’twasn’t in your time

or in my time

but in times ago

a man and a woman got married.

They had three sons.

They called them Jack, Bill and Tom.

Well, they weren’t—there was an old King and a Queen, they had three daughters

but they lost their three daughters.

And Jack and Bill and Tom knew nothing about it.

But they knew about Jack and Bill and Tom because everyone knew about them.

And when the mor—so, they growed up to the age of young men

and they went to seek their fortune.

And now where they went to seek their fortune was in this kingdom, see?

[Anita Best: All the one time? The three of them went the one time?]

Yeah. The three of them went the one time to seek their fortune.

Now this old King, he lost his three daughters

and he left this old castle . . . of a wilderness.

’Twas an old wilderness, nobody—’twas in a forest.

’Twas in a forest.

And Jack goes—so Jack and Bill and Tom went travelin’ through the forest

and what did they run up agin (against) but the castle.

Begob, Jack said

here’s a great place, he said

for to spend our night, he said.

We’ll go in here, he said.

We’ll have a spell here, he said.

We’ll go huntin’, he said (unintelligible).

So they went in

and the castle was there

but ’twas nothing in the castle only old cobwebs and everything, ’twas deserted.

Jack said, all hands is dead out of this, he said

or gone somewhere, he said.

This is a deserted place. Nobody here.

So they stayed there that night, everything went well

but in the morning, they’re goin’ huntin’.

And Jack said

someone have to stay and cook dinner, he said.

Two is enough to go. See what we’ll see.

And he said

but someone’ll have to stay here and cook dinner.

Well, well, Bill said

I’ll stay and cook dinner.

Very good, said Jack.

So then, after they left, Bill started to get on dinner.

He put the fire in the fireplace

but he didn’t mind the first time, when he looked back the fire was out!

Yes, and he lit her up again, fixed her up, got the bellows

and blowed it up

and got her goin’.

Just as he had her goin’, he went to look down

and she was goin’ good, the whole lot come out in his face. All smoke.

He tried it three or four more times

and every time he done it, that’s what happened.

Well, there was nothing for him to do. He went up

and he shifted the weatherboard.

’Cause they used to have weatherboards on . . . at that time, for to keep the smoke in the chimbley (chimney)

and all as ’twas.

But there was nothing no good, whatever he done was still no good. He give it up.

And when he come—Jack and Tom come

Tom said, dinner done, Bill?

No, b’y, he said

we didn’t get no dinner, he said.

I never got to make a fire, he said.

Every time I’d light the fire, he said

’twould all come out in me face.

And Tom said

might easy know, when we left you to cook dinner, what we’re goin’ to have.

Well, Bill said

I couldn’t cook it.

Hold on now, Jack said.

What was the trouble?

And Bill told him, he said

try her your own self, and see what she’ll do.

Went over and made in the fire, number one!

And Jack said

b’ys, we’ll cook our dinners

and that’s all that’s to it.

Well, he said

we’ll go again tomorrow, he said.

And who’s going to stay and cook dinner tomorrow?

Tom said

I’m goin’ to stay and cook dinner tomorrow.

You’ll do the devil, now, Tom, he said

any more than I did.

If it acts the way I—with me, he said.

That was only you.

So the next morning, they went away again.

Tom and Jack—Bill and Jack went on

and they see nothing. There was nothing to see.

When, by and by, Bill (Tom) started to get on dinner

and when he did the first thing, all come out into his face

because he was worse than Tom (Bill), he couldn’t get her to go at all.

Soon as ever he’d go light it, all’d come out in his face.

Well, he done everything.

And when they come back, he said—

Jack and Tom come—Jack and Bill come—

Tom said, dinner done, Bill?

No b’y, he said

never got—

Bill said

I told you that.

And Jack said

that’s a damn queer thing, he said.

Bill said, I just got—Tom said, I just got in the fire, just before ye—just as ye come, he said.

Soon as ye come, he said

I tried it, he said

and ’twas number one.

Well, Jack said

that’s a damn queer thing!

But anyway, he said

that’s all is to it.

So they got her hustled up and they cooked it.

And when they had all cooked, they sot back and et (ate).

Jack said, now, Tom, he said

you and Bill go tomorrow, he said.

And I thinks, he said

I’m going to cook dinner in that stove—in that fireplace, he said.

’Tis a damn queer thing, he said

if you can’t cook no dinner.

Tom said, you’ll do the devil now Jack, he said

anymore than me and Bill.

(unintelligible) Jack said.

That’s what—that’s only what you thinks, he said

and I thinks, he said

there’s something—something doin’ it, he said.

Did you shift the weatherboard?

Yes, done everything could be done.

In the morning, begod, Bill and Tom started off.

And Jack starts in gettin’ on dinner. Goes over, comes up

and give the bellows a blow for to put the fire in

when the next thing, Jack (unintelligible) with the—

Phew, by the holy Dublin, all is out in his face.

Jack said, damn good, that is.

So Jack started to make it again

but instead of being at the fire, Jack was lookin’.

And . . . Jack made out he was blowin’

and by ’n’ by out pops a little red-headed fella

and puts the whole lot out in his face.

But Jack made after him, but he—Jack see where he went.

He went into the oven. Into the oven of the fireplace.

Jack said, you’re alright there now, he said

if th—you won’t blow out no more fire in my face.

So Jack barred the door. Made in the fire.

And by ’n’ by, good heavens, it gets too hot for the little red-headed fella.

He had to roar out.

Oh, Jack, he said, let me out!

He started to pound on the door.

No, Jack said.

You wouldn’t let me make in the fire.

Jack, he said

let me out, Jack, he said

and I’ll tell you something’ll be of service to you.

Well, Jack said, I’ll let you out.

But, he said

don’t you have neither command with that fire.

Oh, no, Jack, he said

I promise.

So then he come out.

Now, Jack, he said

I played the trick, he said

with Bill and Tom, he said

so, he said

I had to play it with you too.

But, he said, I didn’t think you were goin’ to catch me.

Oh, Jack said

yes.

He said, I didn’t think you were lookin’.

Oh, Jack said

yes, I was lookin’.

Well now, Jack, he said

this is a deserted castle.

And, he said

I’m here this nice while, he said.

The King have three daughters, the King, he said

had three daughters, around your ages, he said

and they were stolen, he said

be (by) three giants

and they’re gone to the lowlands.

And, he said

if you does what I’ll tell ye, he said

you’ll get ’em.

And Jack said

I’ll do anything you tells me, so . . .

[Pius Power laughs at antics of Pius Power Jr. playing with his daughter Kate Power. Others laugh.]

Jack, Jack, he said

you go—Jack, he said

you look out there in that droke (grove) of blackthorn?

Jack said

yes.

He said, do you see that big stone is out there?

Jack said, yes. I see that, he said

the first evening we come here, he said.

There’s enormous weight, he said

on that stone.

There’s enormous weight, he said

on that stone, he said.

Oh, yes, Jack, he said

but, he said

there’s nothing on that stone, he said

that you can’t handle.

Because, he said

here’s a ring, he said

I’ll give you. You put that ring on your finger, he said

and you’ll lift up that stone, he said

if ’twas ten times heavier than what it is.

But, he said

you can’t lift it, he said

without that ring.

So Jack got the ring

and he thanked him.

Now Jack, he said

when you rises up that stone, there’s a tub under that—in that hole, he said

goes down with a rope.

And, he said

that’s the road to the lowlands.

Damn good, said Jack.

But, he said

when you gets down, he said

’tis very dark goin’ down there, he said.

Here’s a piece of chalk, he said

I’ll give you.

And wherever you strikes that chalk, he said

you’ll have light.

Very good, said Jack.

And here’s something else, he said.

I’m goin’ to give you, he said.

So he took out a little cloth.

He said, here’s another thing, Jack, he said.

Wherever you spreads that cloth

and whatever you wants to eat, you call for it, he said

and you’ll get it.

Very good, says Jack.

Packed up the cloth, put it in his pocket, poked the ring in his pocket, ’fraid Bill and Tom’d notice it

and come on back.

And when he come, begod—Bill and Tom come.

When Bill and Tom come Jack had it all smokin’ hot.

B’y, the great big dinner, everything that could be mentioned.

I don’t know but they had more than could be mentioned.

[Pius Power Jr. reminds him he’s gone a bit astray, saying, “Okay. He spread out the cloth.”

What did I say?]

So that’s alright.

The little red-headed fella went on about his business

but when Jack (Tom) and Bill come, dinner was smokin’! B’y. ’Twas wonderful. Sot in.

Had their dinner. Asked Jack how’d he cook dinner.

Jack said

I didn’t have no trouble cookin’ dinner.

He said

ah, when I made in the fire there was ashes blowed out in my face, but sure, he said

that was the weatherboard. I went up and shifted the weatherboard, he said

on the chimbley. That’s all the trouble I had.

Well, Tom said

that was a damn queer thing.

Bill said, yes, ’tis a damn queer thing, he said

they shifted the weatherboard.

Yes, but, Jack said

ye didn’t—ye didn’t mind what way the wind was, he said

and ye had it wrong, anyway.

Well, that’s very good.

All was over. They had their big dinner.

And . . . Jack said

I wonder what’s out in that . . . droke of thorn out there, he said

that . . . forest, he said.

Bill said, there’s a stone out there. Sure, he said

we see that—we can see that.

Jack said, yeah, but that must be a grave or something, he said

is out there. Graves, or something, he said.

That must be a churchyard, he said.

We’ll go out and see what ’tis.

So, when they goes out, there’s nothing, only the one big stone.

And the weight was on that stone—was marked on that stone, was tremendous.

Tons, tons. Tons upon tons was marked on the stone.

Bill said

’twas—that’s not, he said

that’s not a tombstone, he said.

And Tom said

no, he said.

He supposed—p’raps, he said

’twas a place, ’twas a stone, he said

where they used to behead people, he said.

This is a kingdom, he said

and looked like a kingdom, he said

and p’raps, he said, that’s why, he said

’twas deserted, he said.

It got haunted here.

And Jack said

haunted the devil. Sure, he said

there’s nothing here how.

Yes, but, Tom said

we’re not from this—have nothing to do with it, he said

we may be able to live here, he said

and no one else wouldn’t.

Ah, Jack said

could be the case, Jack said.

I wonder how heavy is that stone, now, he said.

Is that only marked up like that? Jack said.

I’d like to see what’s under that stone.

Tom went over

and he grabbed into it.

And Tom said

I’ll lift it up, he said.

I s’pose.

Tom grabbed into the stone to go lift it

and Tom couldn’t move it.

Tom said

I can’t move it.

And Bill said

I thinks I’ll move it.

You’ll do the devil now, says Tom.

Hmm. Begod, Jack said

there’s no harm for him to try, anyway.

So Tom (Bill) went over

and he had a spell at it.

Jack was stood up with his hands in his pockets.

Jack said, b’y, that stone, I don’t think that stone is as heavy as it’s marked.

Jack goes over, puts—sho—put his hand down in his pocket

he have the ring on his finger, catches the stone, lifts it up

and laid it to one side.

And when he laid it to one side, Jack said

b’y, that stone is shifted now, he said

but there’s a hole there.

Looked at it.

Bill said, yes, he said

that must be—that must be a well, he said

or something.

So, Jack see the rope, stuck into the rope

and hauled it up

and when he hauled up the rope, he hauled up a tub.

Then they talked about it.

Well, Jack said

look, he said

I wonder, he said

I often heard tell of, he said

the road to the lowlands.

I wonder now, Jack said

is this the way they goes to the lowlands?

Not at all, said Bill.

Hmmm, Jack said

I don’t know but, Jack said

I will know.

I’m goin’ to get in that tub now, he said

and ye lower me down.

And, he said

if I gets down, if I wants to come back, he said

I’ll tug the rope—tug on the rope, he said

ye haul me back.

Yeah.

And, Jack said

if I’m leavin’ the tub, he said

I’ll tug on the rope twice.

And, he said

I’ll be gone out of the tub.

Very good, says Bill and Tom.

But now he said

I’ll be gone . . . a day and a twelvemonth.

And, he said

ye be here, at a day and a twelvemonth, he said

to haul me up. If I’m alive, he said

I’ll be back.

Tom said, what about you comes back before?

No difference, Jack said

I’m goin’ to be gone a day and a twelvemonth, now, he said

whatever way she goes. Sposin’, he said

I goes down and stays down there all night

for the day and a twelvemonth, down in the hole, he said

if I gets out of the tub.

So, he’s goin’ down.

Begod, when the tub struck the bottom

sure, Jack had his light, you see, ’cause this chalk the, the red-headed fella give ’im.

As corn (according) as Jack went down, he marked the chalk

and every time Jack’d mark the chalk, he—he lit up the hole.

[Telephone rings. Pause while Anita Best speaks on the phone. Pius Power Jr. says, “Go ahead.”]

So when Jack got down in the bottom of the hole, he give the two plucks on the rope.

Well, they knowed Jack was gone out of the tub, so—

It was gettin’ late up in the day then

and Jack got out

and when Jack got out of the hole, he walked out on a street.

Begod, Jack said

there must—this must be the lowlands.

So Jack traveled on, but ’twas gettin’ late.

Jack sees a light—a light in an old hut there.

And Jack went up to the door. Knocked on the door.

An old woman opened the door.

She said, hullo, Jack.

Hullo, ma’am, says Jack.

Jack, she said

where’d you come from?

Jack said, ma’am, I don’t know where I come from, he said

to tell you the truth.

Oh, she said

you come from the, the deserted castle.

And, she said

you’re goin’ in search of the King’s daughters.

And, she said

there’s someone supposed to free the King’s daughters

and, she said

you’re the fella, she said

I suppose, is goin’ to have to do it.

But, she said, there’s monstr—there’s three monstrous great giants have them.

Well, ma’am, Jack said

there’s not much I can do about it, he said

but when I’m down here, he said

I’m goin’ to see ’em.

Oh, yes, Jack, she said

but there’s—there’s a lot to see in them giants, she said

they’re not so nice.

Hmm, Jack said

ma’am, he said

I’ll have to see ’em.

Well, Jack, she said

I’ll—I’ll give you lodgings for the night, but, he said—she said

I have nothing to eat.

No way, she said.

I have nothing to give you to eat. Or nothing for meself.

Alright, ma’am, said Jack.

So Jack took out his wishin’ cloth

and he spread it on the table

and he called for the great big supper for himself and the old woman

and more than they were able to take care of!

And when they were done eatin’, all done, there was lots left.

Jack said, ma’am you gather up what’s left, he said

and keep it for yourself.

So she thanked Jack.

But in the morning when Jack was leavin’ she took a bottle of stuff

and she give it to ’im.

Now Jack, she said

in case, she said

you’re hurted and not killed, she said

if you can gain any memory at all, she said

’tis no odds how bad you are, if you can think on this bottle of stuff, she said

put that to your nose, she said

and sniff it. ’Tis like the smellin’ salts, see? Put that to your nose, she said

and sniff it

and you’ll be as good as ever.

Jack thanked her for the bottle of stuff, wished her goodbye.

And when she—when he was going through the door, she said

I don’t expect, she said

to be here when you’re comin’ back.

No, ma’am, he said

’cause p’raps I’d never come back.

Oh, yes, she said.

You’ll be back.

But, she said, if you does away with the giants, she said

you’ll make free trade, she said

from the highlands to the lowlands, she said.

They’ll have no longer power. ’Twill be gone.

So that was very good.

Jack traveled on.

By ’m’ by (by and by) Jack see this great big glittering, shining ahead of him.

By God, Jack said

this is goin’ to be a cruel hot day.

And, he said

along with that, he said

I think ’tis goin’ to be poor.

Because, he said

damn red is the horizon with the sun, he said.

Oh, God, ’twere almost takin’ his eyesight.

By ’m’ by, Jack discerns the castle.

Now this is the giant’s copper castle.

Jack traveled on

and when Jack traveled on he goes up to the—to the door

and the lady—knocked on the door

and when he did, sure, the King’s eldest daughter come out

and see Jack.

My God, Jack, she said

where’d you come from?

Jack said, where I come from? Not much odds about where I come from, but, he said

but I suppose, he said

I come from where ye lived, he said.

There was an old castle there, he said

in the forest.

And, he said

I was in that.

Well, Jack, she said

come in till I hide you, she said

’cause when the giant comes, she said

he’ll kill you, she said

and I really don’t know where to put you.

You’re puttin’ me nowhere, Jack said.

Nowhere at all.

So, she got Jack a cup of tea

and Jack sot down drinkin’ tea.

Jack, she said

I have to hide you, ’cause the giant’ll destroy you.

Well, Jack said

I don’t think he’ll destroy me. But, Jack said

have he got any means of fightin’ here?

Oh, yes, she said

he have swords.

Well, Jack said

you go out

and the worst one is out there, he said

bring her in to me.

Well, she brought in the sword to Jack.

She said, now that’s not much good for anything.

Jack said, that’s alright. That’s what I wants, Jack said.

He might—he might want a good one, he said

and I can use the bad one.

So, Jack just had the tea finished when he looks out through the window

and there’s the giant coming up the path.

Jack goes out.

Jack said, I have to go out and meet him, he said

I can’t meet him in the house. I’ll have to go outdoors and meet him.

Well anyway. When he see him, he knowed him.

He said, hullo, Jack, he said.

What are you lookin’ for?

Jack said, what I’m lookin’ for is not very much, he said

I’m only seekin’ me fortune.

You have it already seeked, he said.

Jack said, why is that now?

He said, because, he said

I’m goin’ to kill you

and I’m goin’ to eat ya.

And he said

I’m goin’ to grind your bones, he said

into mincemeat.

Hmnf, Jack said

that’s easier said than done.

So the giant was saucy

and Jack was a bit saucy.

And in a moment Jack said

this is no good, this argument, he said.

Would you fight? he said to the giant.

Oh, the giant said

yes, I’d fight.

And Jack said

I’d fight, too, he said.

There’s no need of us arguin’ over it, he said.

If we’re goin’ fightin’, fight

and that’s all there’s to it!

Yes, Jack, he said

but what would we fight?

Collar and elbow, says Jack.

Very good, said the giant.

That’s just exactly what I—what I delights in.

So Jack and the old giant got into it, collar and elbow

and he was blowin’ Jack to hell’s flames, all over the place.

By ’m’ by the old giant was so tormented, he couldn’t get to touch Jack.

He was getting’ beat out himself.

Jack, he said

this is no good to me or to you, or to nobody else, he said.

We’ll put it to the point of the sword

and the best man have it.

Damn good, said Jack.

So. While they were—the next thing the old giant knowed, Jack had his head half off.

And when the old giant got the head half off, he fell down on his two knees.

Oh, Jack, he said

spare me my life, he said

for God’s sake. I’ll give you the keys of me treasure, a horsewhip and army

make you a suit of your own, and a suit of me own, he said

the color of the stars

and make a rich man of you all the days of your life.

To hell’s flames with you now, Jack said.

That I’ll have

and your life, too.

With that, up Jack—up with the sword

and chopped the head off him

and chap fell down in a pile.

Jack went in, b’y

and he had the awful time, himself and the lady, that night.

All she wanted was Jack to pack up and go back

and leave her sisters there.

No, Jack said.

You tells me, he said

you’re the King’s oldest daughter. My oldest brother, he said

is Bill, so, he said

I’ll leave—they’re there—they’ll be there, he said

waitin’ for me, when I goes back.

And, he said, I’ll take you now, he said

as Bill’s wife.

Now, he said

you remember what I’m sayin’, he said.

You’re Bill’s wife.

Oh, yes, she’d remember that.

Jack stayed with her that night, but the next morning Jack takes off.

And away to go.

Just as the sun was risin’, as usual, Jack see the gray glare. This was silver.

Oh, Jack said

boy, this is the day, we’re goin’ to have the beautiful day.

So, by ’m’ by Jack discerned ’twas the castle.

Jack goes up, knocks on the door.

And when he knocked on the door, sure, the lady come out

sure, that’s the King’s second-eldest daughter.

She knowed Jack soon’s ever she see him.

But she also knowed that Jack was after killin’ one of the giants.

Jack, she said

come in, she said, for heaven’s sake, till I hide you.

Jack said

why?

Because, she said

there’s something happened the giant’s brother yesterday. Because, she said

he never slept a wink hardly last night. He was roarin’ all night.

Jack said

he’s liable to sleep better tonight, for that.

Jack, she said

come in till I hide you, because, she said

there’s no way, she said

that you can do anything with him, she said

he is a monstrous great man, she said

with—with two heads.

And Jack said

yes. The bigger he is, the heavier he’ll fall.

That’s what Jack said to her.

So she got Jack a cup of tea.

And Jack said to her, he said

have you got any means here for fightin’?

Yes, she said

he have. Couple of old swords out there, she said.

Well, Jack said

you go out and bring me in the worst one he have.

So—which she did. She brought Jack in the sword.

Now, Jack, she said

there’s better swords than that out there.

Jack said

that’s the one I wanted. If he wants to get one, he said

he might come in to get the good one, he said

she’ll be there for him.

So . . . Jack goes out and—now that’s the second-best sword to the Sword of Sharpness, see?

But the old fella—the old fella—the other old fella, he have the Sword of Sharpness.

Jack knows, because those swords was—was deceitful.

’Twas the worst one you had to get for to have the best one!

So . . . by ’m’ by Jack looks out

and he see him comin’.

Christ, he’s comin’ now. I must go out and see him.

Well, Jack, she said

what in the name of God, she said

is I goin’ to do with you?

Nothing, Jack said

I’m goin’ out to meet him.

And Jack went out—Jack went out

and . . . he met the old giant.

Good morning, sir, says Jack.

Good morning, Jack, he said.

Where are you goin’? What are you lookin’ for?

Nothing, sir, said Jack

only I’m out seekin’ me fortune.

You have it already seeked now, he said.

Do you know, he said

you killed my youngest brother yesterday?

The marrow in his bones is not cold yet.

I don’t know, sir, Jack said

whether ’twas your brother or no, but, he said

I met a saucy pup of a giant, he said.

He was goin’ to eat me, he said

he was goin’ to do it all with me, but, he said

when it come to a fight, he said

he wasn’t able to take a man’s part, he said

in any case. We fought fair, he said.

Ah, Jack, he said

I’ll take a man’s part with you.

Jack, he s—he said

would you fight?

Oh, Jack said

yes, I’d fight.

What fight would you fight, Jack? he said.

Oh, Jack said

collar and elbow is fine for me.

Very good, said the giant.

That’s the fight I delights in.

But by the holy Dublin, sure, Jack . . . he never could touch Jack

sure, the wind out of his nose’d drive Jack all over the place.

By ’m’ by the old giant got so disgusted and so mad he said

this is no good to me or to you or to nobody else.

We’ll put it to the point of the sword, he said

and the best man have it.

Very good, said Jack.

To your own fancy.

Begod, the next thing the old giant knowed, he had one of his heads gone.

He fell down. Jack, he said

spare me my life, he said

for God’s sake. I’ll give you the keys of me treasure, a horsewhip and army

and a suit of me own, he said

the color of the moon, he said

and that’ll make a rich man of you all the days of your life.

To hell with you now, Jack said.

That I’ll have

and your life, too.

With that, up Jack, up with the sword

and he fell down.

Jack went and spent that night with the lady

but she wanted Jack to pack up

and go on back.

No, Jack said

I’m certainly not doin’ that.

He said, you’re the King’s second-eldest daughter, he said

and my second-eldest brother’s name is Tom, he said

and you’ll be Tom’s wife.

Now, he said

you’re Tom’s wife.

And remember it.

So, that’s alright, she said she would

so . . . she stayed with the—Jack stayed with her all night.

And next mornin’ Jack left.

And he walked on

and walked on

but by ’m’ by, he see this glittering ahead of him

and he didn’t know what this was

but sure, this is nothing to be shinin’ only gold!

Oh well, Jack was almost blind.

But the King’s eldest daughter, she knows there’s something happenin’

and she’s lookin’ out to see what she can see.

And who did she see comin’ down the road, only Jack.

And she was up in the top story of the giant’s castle.

[Anita Best: The oldest daughter?]

The youngest daughter.

She made the race down the stairs for to see Jack

to meet Jack.

But she tripped

and she fell down.

She broke her leg

she broke her arm

she broke her collar bone.

And she was knocked unconscious.

So Jack heard the racket, so he went in.

Opened the door

and he went in.

And when he went in, she was down by the foot of the stairs, knocked out.

So Jack took out his bottle

and poked it to her nose

or her hole.

I don’t know where he poked it now

but he poked it to her nose. That’s what they says.

Up she jumps, as good as ever.

My God, Jack, she said

where’d you come from?

Jack said, there’s—I suppose, he said

I come from the castle, he said

where ye were—where ye were born, he said.

’Tis a wilderness there.

Yes, Jack, she said

that’s where we were stole from the giants, she said.

Which, she said

we never thought we’d ever be freed.

Well, Jack said

you have a good chance of it now.

Jack, she said

let us pack up now, she said

and try to get away.

No, Jack said

that’d be no good, Jack said.

I got to kill him for us to get away.

Well, Jack, she said

I think that’s unpossible, she said.

He’s a monstrous great man with three heads.

The devil may care, says Jack.

The bigger he is, the heavier he’ll fall.

Jack, she said

I think, she said

there’s something after happening to his two brothers.

Jack said, I killed two of ’em, he said.

Jack, she said

I don’t think you’ll do anything with him.

Jack said, have he got any means of fightin’?

Oh, yes, she said

he have swords.

You go out now, Jack said

before he comes

and bring me in the worst one of the lot.

Now, he said

be sure and bring me the worst one.

So she went out

and she picked out the sword

and she brought it in to Jack.

’Twasn’t a very good-lookin’ weapon.

Jack, she said

that’s not much of a weapon. There’s a lot better ones than that there.

Jack said

that’s the one I wants.

Now, Jack said,

there’s one thing I’m goin’ to tell you.

And, she said

what’s that?

If I kills the giant, he said

and the giant kills me, you go back, he said

yourself and your two sisters, in a day and a twelvemonth, he said

you plu—and get. Put your sister into the rope, into the tub, he said

and pluck once on the rope, he said.

And do that, he said

till—and they’ll lower back the tub, he said

and haul—haul ye up.

And then, he said

you’re free. No odds about me.

Jack, she said

I’m not goin’ back without you.

Jack said, yes. You go on without me. Don’t stop, he said.

If the giant kills me, he said

and—but, he said, there’s another thing I’m goin’ to tell you.

What’s that?

He said, but, he said

I can’t do it, I won’t, I won’t—if I’m not killed, he said

if I do be knocked out, he said

or anything like that.

But, he said

if I gains me memory, he said

I’ll—I’ll get better.

Alright.

So Jack . . . wasn’t very long before they see the old giant.

God, Jack said

I have to get out now, he said.

He didn’t get time for to give her the bottle of stuff.

He was going to give her the bottle of stuff, see?

For to stick to his nose

or his hole, wherever he stick—wherever she stuck it. He was alright.

So, begod, he got out.

Jack said

good day. Good morning.

The giant said

good morning, Jack.

Jack, he said

where are you goin’?

Jack said

I—I’m goin’ to seek me fortune, he said.

I’m goin’ to seek . . . the end of the world.

You have it so . . . already. You’re to the end of the world now, Jack, he said.

Because, he said

I’m goin’ to kill you now, he said

right immediately, he said.

You killed my youngest brother the day before yesterday, he said.

Yesterday, he said

you killed me second-eldest brother.

And the marrow in his bones is not cold yet.

Well, sir, Jack said

’tis only the same as I told your brothers. I was only seeking me fortune, he said.

The both of them, he said

was ignorant men.

And they wanted to fight, he said.

And when it come to a fight, he said

they couldn’t take a man’s part in any case.

And I have me doubts about you, he said

whether you can do it or no.

Ha! Jack, he said

I can take a man’s part with you. Would you fight . . . Jack? he said.

Oh, Jack said

yes, I’ll fight—fight fair, Jack said

with any man.

What fight do you fight, Jack? he said.

Collar and elbow, said Jack.

Very good, said the giant.

That’s the fight I delights in.

So himself and the giant got into it.

But sure, if one time was bad, he was worse with the big fella

’cause he was puttin’ him everywhere.

And by ’m’ by the old giant got beat out

and got so tired

and so tormented

and so mad

he said to Jack, he said

put it to the point of the sword, he said

and the best man have it!

Very good, says Jack.

And as quick as they put it to the point of the sword Jack up sword

and chopped one of the heads off of him.

Jack thought he was goin’ to quieten him

but that only made the giant worse.

Because all he was blowin’ through that was fire and smoke.

Jack couldn’t hardly get handy to him.

But by ’m’ by, begod, Jack got a snig at him again

and took the other head off

and when he did, he come down.

Oh, Jack, he said

spare me me life, he said

I’ll give you the keys of me treasure, a horsewhip and army, a suit of me own, he said

the color of the sun, which’ll make a rich man, he said

out of you all the days of your life.

To hell’s flames with you now, Jack said.

That I’ll have

and your life, too.

So, with that, Jack up sword

and chopped the head off of him.

But accidentally one of the heads fell on the ground.

They had—there was wind enough in it that an air struck Jack

and put him away . . . Jack was knocked out.

And before Jack come to himself, the day and the twelvemonth was near about up.

But when he come to himself, then he bethought on his bottle of stuff.

He stuck it to his nose

and up he jumps. He’s number one! He goes back.

The lady, she was out of her mind

’cause she didn’t know what happened to Jack.

And she wouldn’t go till the day and twelvemonth was up

’cause Jack told her about the day and a twelvemonth.

Now begod, Jack come back, she was so delighted.

Herself and Jack, they packed up all. They packed up all they wanted.

The three of ’em—the four of ’em jogged along together.

But when Jack come to where the old woman—the hut was gone

and the old woman was gone, too.

But that was alright.

When Jack goes to the hole, he puts in Bill’s wife into the tub.

He plucked on the rope

and when he plucked on the rope, sure, they were really there (unintelligible).

They rousted up.

And when they rousted up, oh, this beautiful lady, begod, what did they do

only fell out, Bill and Tom, over the lady.

And they started fightin’.

She said, knock off your fightin’, she said.

I’m Bill’s lady, she said.

Lower down the tub. Tom’s lady is down there

and Jack and his lady is down there.

So they lowered down the tub again

and when they lowered down the tub, Jack’s—Tom’s lady got in it

and they hauled her up.

Begod, that’s number one now. They have a lady each.

So they lowered down the tub for Jack’s lady.

And when they lowered down the tub, she said to Jack

you get into the tub, she said.

Jack said

no, you get into the tub, he said.

I can’t tell what’d happen to you, he said

if I goes up.

And he said

’twould be too late for me when I’d find out that you were gone

or something happened you, he said.

I wouldn’t—I wouldn’t forget it, he said

for the rest of me life.

So, she gets into the tub

and when they hauls her up, by gee, she was so beautiful . . . that they all

they got into a racket over her.

Now, Tom, she said, no, she said

I’m Jack’s lady. Lower down the tub, she said

for Jack.

So when they lowered down the tub, now, Jack said

I don’t think that Bill and Tom, he said

is as loyal as what they thinks they are, so, he said

I’ll—I must try something else with them.

So Jack goes

and he gets a big rock, what he thought was handy about the weight of himself.

And he laid it into the tub.

And the tub went just about to the surface.

Now, Jack was wonderin’, the tub was goin’ so good

what was goin’ to happen when they’d haul up the rock.

Were they goin’ to lower down the tub, or what was goin’ to happen?

But the next thing, down comes the tub, hell be the rip, down souse-o (a sudden deep plunge)!

Now, begod, Jack said

I thought that.

Rope and all quoyled (coiled) down in the tub.

Now poor Jack is down in the hole.

He haven’t even got a settee to sit in, look. [laughs]

Poor Jack is down in the hole. He even haven’t got a chair to sit in.

But he wasn’t hungry, ’cause his cloth. . . .

[Jack Ward comes in.]

(unintelligible) Jack stayed there

stayed there.

One day he had his wishin’ cloth spread out

and along comes a raven.

She pitched on the end of the cloth where Jack—

She asked Jack for the crumbs that fell from his bread.

Jack said

no. Crumbs is no good to you. You sit in, now, Jack said

and have your feed with me.

So Jack fed the bird day in and day out.

Every meal Jack had, she had it, too.

And they et away.

So one day she said to Jack

now Jack, she said

I’m goin’ to try to help you out. You get on my back now, she said

to see can I bring you up the hole.

Jack got on the raven’s back

but Jack just see the light, over the—over the edge.

Oh, Jack, she said

I have to go back, she said.

You’ll have to feed me for another month or two.

So they went back

and Jack fed her

and fed her

and fed her.

But begod, ’twas the day and a twelvemonth was just about up before Jack got out of the hole.

There was six months was gone.

And Jack gets up.

And when Jack gets up, she said

now Jack, she said

get on me back and I’ll try it.

Begod, then he got on her back

and she made the top of the hole.

Wished Jack goodbye, when, she said

now Jack, she said

whatever you wants out of the lowlands, she said

you call on the pretty raven, she said

and she’ll be there to your call.

Very good, says Jack.

Well, Jack traveled on.

Now he’s not very well dressed or anything like that.

So he travels on

and when he goes to the town where the kingdom was

everything is there.

God, it looked to Jack like there was goin’ to be something takin’ place pretty soon.

So, he went and shipped to an old blacksmith

and told him he was a boy lookin’ for work

and he got the job with this old blacksmith.

Very good.

And now, the old blacksmith he’s makin’ stuff for the—for this big battle they’re going to have.

There’s dragons coming from the sea

and they’re goin’ to destroy the kingdom.

And Bill and Tom, they’re married to the King’s daughters

but she won’t marry nobody ’cause she’s not goin’ to get married.

She said she wouldn’t get married before a day and a twelvemonth.

But now, this dragon is comin’ from the sea, there’s an awful lot of trouble, more than—

So, this old blacksmith, he’s makin’ all kinds of stuff.

So, he goes to the kingdom

and the lady said to him, this lady said to him, she said to him—

she was there dressed in mourning, no one knew what she was mournin’ for.

Jack was after makin’ a few little things

that—that she knew the old blacksmith couldn’t do, see? Or she thought.

She said, sir, have you got a helper?

Yes, miss, he said

I shipped a boy, he said

a few days ago, he said

and he helps me.

Oh, she said

very good. You’re makin’ nice stuff, she said.

So—but she said, there’s one thing, she said

I’m going to ask you.

He said, what is that?

She said, would you make me a copper ball

a copper ball like there’s on the copper castle in the lowlands? she said.

Or, she said

your head might have to go on a spear.

Jesus, that done for the old blacksmith.

He went home

and when he went home, he was so bad off, he said—

Jack was there

and Jack said, Master, he said

what ails you?

Botheration, boy, he said.

Me time is to an end.

And Jack said

why? What’s your time to an end for?

Well, he said

the lady told me, he said

to make her a copper ball

like there was on the copper castle in the lowlands.

Well, he said

how do I know about the copper ball

in the copper castle in the lowlands? he said,

or me head is likely to have to go on a spear.

Aaaah, Jack said.

Don’t be so foolish, lettin’ them bluff you up like that, Jack said.

Sure, you knows as much about the copper ball

and the copper castle in the lowlands, now, he said

as a person never see it.

I know, he said (unintelligible)

giants (unintelligible). They were looking up at the copper balls, Jack said

and I often made them, he said

when I was home in me father’s home, he said.

He had a forge there. I often made them, he said

for pastime for meself, copper balls, he said

I’ll make the ball for you.

Oh, very good, he said.

Oh, begod, so his wife’s name was Joan

and his servin’ girl’s name was Betsy.

He said, hand along the ’canter (decanter), Joan.

So they brought along the ’canter

and Jack and the old blacksmith, b’y, they had the jeezly old time

something like ye are having there now.

But—but the old blacksmith fell asleep

and when the old blacksmith fell asleep

oh, Jack said.

I must go out now, he said

and start in

and make some—and make up that ball for the old man for the morning.

So Jack goes out

and had to—pokes the poker into the fire

and he have everything hottened.

But Betsy, she turned around

and said—said to the old woman

you know, she said

that fella could disappear here anytime.

And, she said

’twould be a wonderful thing for to see what he’s at!

Oh, he’s makin’ a copper ball.

There was a seam in where—in the partin’ (partition).

She pokes out the eye

and when she did, poor old Jack pokes the po—hot poker only in her eye.

Woke up the old man when she screeched.

He said, the devil and hell’s cure to ye, he said.

Ye wouldn’t leave Jack alone, he said

for to—the boy, he said

was doin’ his best, he said

to help me out, to save me life, he said

and ye were there tormentin’ him.

Well, in the morning, Jack come in

and when he come in, that’s all there was about it.

Betsy had her eye tied up

but Jack passed no remark about it.

So, after a spell he give the old man the ball.

And he said

here, sir, he said

do you think that’d be anything like it?

Which, he said

it is, because sure, he said—

Because Jack went out and called on the pretty raven, see?

[I’m a bit before me story.]

When they all were gone asleep

and straightened away, Jack went out

and called on the pretty raven

and asked her to bring out the copper ball

off the copper castle in the lowlands.

And she appeared with the ball to Jack

and in the morning Jack brought him in the ball.

The old blacksmith never see nothing like it before

and he went to the lady.

And when . . . the old man—

Now, Master, when you’re comin’ today, he said

you bring me a pair of breeches.

Oh, indeed I will, me b’y, he said.

Now, Jack said

I s’pect that’ll suit them, because, Jack said

in the ’gard of (with regard to) them knowing what the ball is like, he said

damn, nobody knows.

So when he went, he had the ball

and he give the lady the ball.

She said, yes, that is—that’s pretty near it. Pretty near it, she said

that is. That’s a lovely ball. But now, she said

I have to give you—you have to bring me a silver ball, she said

like there’s in the silver castle in the lowlands.

She knows now ’tis Jack. Because she knows there’s no one else could get the copper ball.

Well that—well, miss, he said

that’s something, he said

I can’t do because, he said

I haven’t got the silver.

Oh, there’s lots of silver.

She give him all the silver he wanted, tons, when he was goin’ to make the ball.

The old man was makin’ a fortune on it

but to think about makin’ a silver ball

and he didn’t know how

and his head had to go on a spear, he was—the silver was no good to him.

He goes home

and when he went in, he said—

Jack went

Master, he said

did you bring me the breeches?

Botheration, he said

to you and the breeches, he said

you know, he said

I have more to bother me, he said

than breeches.

Jack said, did the ball suit?

Oh, he said

’twas exactly.

Sure, Jack said

as I told you, she didn’t know one ball from another, Jack said

that damn fool. Them damn fools, he said

don’t know anything, only what they thinks they knows.

But, he said

I have to get a silver ball now, he said

made, like the silver ball is over there

in the silver castle of the lowlands.

And, he said

I was never in the lowlands

or I never see the silver ball, he said

and how can I make it?

Jack said, have you got the silver?

Oh, yes, he said. I have the silver.

Well, Jack said

nothing to that, Jack said

that’s only a ball the same as the copper ball, Jack said

that’s all they know about it.

So, that’s very good.

[Pius Power continues puffing on his pipe.]

Jack goes—he said, hand along the ’canter, Joan.

And himself and Jack got drinkin’

and ’twasn’t very long before Jack fell asleep—or before the old blacksmith fell asleep.

Jack goes out, b’ys

and he gets into the racket

and peltin’ around the tongs

and he was blowin’ on the bellows

and he was gettin’—

The old woman—everything was goin’ so good the old woman said to Betsy

well, she said

I’ll have to go look, she said

to see what Jack is at.

She poked her finger through the hole

and when she did, Jack done the same thing. Poked the poker in her eye.

Now, she went away. Woke up the old man when she screeched.

He said, what’s the matter?

She said she’d got her eye burnt with the poker. Jack shoved the hot poker in through the seam.

Sure, he said

you knows you were tormentin’ him, he said.

Jack is trying to save my life, he said

and ye are trying to do away with me.

All very good.

And they all went to sleep.

Had their eyes tied up

and all as it was.

Jack goes out

and calls on the pretty raven

and asked her for the silver ball

and it wasn’t very long before she was back with the silver ball to him.

Well, in the morning, Jack goes in

and the old man was ready for goin’

Jack said, here’s your silver ball, Master, he said.

I don’t know whether ’tis like the one is in the lowlands

but I s’pect, he said—

say it is, he said

and that’s just the same.

Well, he said

’tis beautiful.

The old blacksmith he was really delighted in the ball.

Now, Jack said

Master, he said

bring me a pair of breeches.

Oh, he said

he’d surely bring him the breeches.

That’s alright, Jack said.

So when he goes to the King’s place they’re puttin’ up towers

and they’re puttin’ up bells

and they’re goin’—doin’ up everything.

He said to the—give the lady the ball.

Now, miss, he said

this is all as handy as I could go to it.

She said, did you make that ball yourself?

No, he said

I didn’t, he said.

Miss, he said

the boy I have there, he said

made the ball.

She said, he’s quite a—a smart chap, she said

to make a ball like that.

He told me, he said

he was used to makin’ them things.

Now, he said

I wasn’t that used to it so, he said

I gave it—give it over to him.

Oh, she said

that’s very good, she said.

there’s one thing more, she said

you have to do

He said

and what is that?

You have to bring me, she said

the golden ball—a golden ball

like the golden ball is on the golden castle in the lowlands, she said.

Oh, he said

I can’t do that, because, he said

I haven’t got the gold.

She said, you’ll get the gold, she said

lots of gold.

So the old blacksmith got the gold

but sure, he was so much done over with this gold racket

and all this kind of stuff that he forgot about Jack and the breeches.

When he come back, Jack said

well, Master, he said

did you bring me the breeches?

Botheration, he said

to you and the breeches, he said.

I had so much

and I had such a great day, he said

in fact, he said

with that ball you brought.

Jack said, ’twas fair?

Oh, he said

they were charmed. ’Twas just exactly, he said

like the ball on the gold—on the silver castle of the lowlands, he said

’twas exactly, she said, exactly the same.

Oh, Jack said

that was very good.

And Jack said

you never remembered?

No, Jack, he said

I forgot.

Because, he said

the tasks they put on me, he said.

I have to go to work, he said

and make a golden ball

like there’s on the golden castle in the lowlands, he said.

And I couldn’t do that.

But, he said

I told her, he said

I didn’t make that ball either, he said

you made it.

Oh, God, he said

but that was alright

but you should’ve said you made it yourself. Because, he said

because p’raps the next thing, she’d want me to make some of it

and I don’t want my head on no spears.

Oh, that’s alright, he said.

He said, mine will be going on it tomorrow, because, he said

I’ll never get that ball.

Jack said, have you got the gold?

Oh, yes, Jack said

if you got the gold, ’tis no more to make a golden one than to make a silver one. It’s all the one thing.

So, hand along the ’canter, Joan

and himself and Jack—Jack knowed—’cause they have their faces tied up, see?

(unintelligible)

Jack said to the old woman, he said

what ails ye, missus, he said

what ails ye to have your head tied up?

She said, I got me eye burnt.

Jack said, you got your eye burnt?

Yes, she said

I got me eye burnt. You were having such a racket out there, she said

making the golden ball, I peeped out through the seam, she said

and you poked the poker in me eye.

Well, ma’am, Jack said

you hardly had any business, he said

because when I’m at something, I don’t see what’s taking place, he said

and I’m liable to poke the poker anywhere.

(unintelligible) Jack said

I have stuff for that.

So, Jack took out his little bottle, rubbed it over the old woman’s eye, ’twas cured right away.

She could see better, it was all cured.

So she sung out to Betsy

and Jack done up Betsy’s eye, too. She got cured.

Now the two of them is alright.

So, he reared at them for being at it because, he said

there was no need of it, he said

they needn’t be looking through the seam.

You were only trying to save my head, he said.

Well, Jack said

sure, that was alright, in the ’gard of seeing anything.

So himself and Jack got the ’canter

and they started to drink.

And by ’n’ by the old blacksmith got so tired

and so sleepy.

Jack said, I must go out now, he said

and make the ball.

But he was so excited that night, the old blacksmith

he wanted to see what—this was going on himself.

And Jack was having the Jesus racket out there that night.

He woke up the old man

and he goes over to look out through the seam, to see what Jack was at

and just as he did, Jack stabbed the poker in his eye.

Now begod. In the morning, when Jack came in with the ball, he couldn’t see it. [laughter]

Jack said, what in the hell ails you this morning?

Oh, Jack, he said.

Oh, me son, he said

I looked through the seam, he said

just as you prodded the poker.

Oh, very good, said Jack.

So Jack went

and got his bottle of stuff

and rubbed it to his eye

and he could see.

Jack said, here’s the ball.

Well, the pretty raven was after bringing Jack the ball.

So the old blacksmith took the ball

and went on his way.

The lady said, yes, she said

that’s exactly the same as the one is on the golden castle of the lowlands.

I couldn’t see, she said

how it could be, except ’twas the one was on it.

No, madam, he said

that boy I have made it.

Well, she said

you’ll have to bring me that boy, she said

tomorrow. Or, she said

your head will go on a spear.

Well, miss, he said.

He’s a very naughty chap, he said.

P’raps he’d come and p’raps he wouldn’t. But, he said . . .

So, she got the breeches

and got all—

He got the breeches

and all for Jack now, because he had the big day.

And when he come home, flying colors.

Hoo, b’y. The holy old cats. Such a time as they’re having when he comes home.

And Jack said

how did the ball suit?

Number one, he said

me son, number one. We’re all—just the one, he said

they wanted.

And, he said

the lady—I have to bring you tomorrow, or, he said

me head have to go on a spear.

Well, Jack said

your head won’t have to go on a spear, he said

if I don’t go, he said.

Tomorrow, he said

the battle is going to start, he said

the dragon is coming from the sea, he said

to destroy the kingdom, he said.

There’s a dragon is coming from the sea, he said

to destroy the kingdom.

And, he said

the lady told me he said

to bring you—to be sure and bring you.

Alright, said Jack.

Well, himself and Jack in the morning, they dodged on

and the old man was showing Jack all this fit-up. The bell ropes was hung.

And behind, b’y, Jack see the bell ropes.

And Jack said

what is that there for?

This is the one, he said

rousts the kingdom, he said

all hands is on their horses, he said

for the battlefield when them bells rings.

Jack made the grab

and went up the bell rope

and had all goin’.

The old man made after Jack, but Jack made in around the corner

and he never see where Jack went to.

Jack went around the corner, called on his horsewhip and army

and a suit of his own the color of the stars.

And away he goes, out on the battlefield.

And when he went out, sure, Tom was there, and Bill

and the other fella thinks he’s going to get the King’s daughter

if he—if they can beat back the dragon.

But that’s alright.

Jack—it wasn’t very long till Jack went up to Tom and Bill

and asked them what were they at

and they told him. Beat back the dragon that was goin’ to destroy the town.

And Jack said

aaah, destroy the town, he said

(unintelligible)

[Anita Best: Did they know him?]

No, they didn’t know him.

Christ, no, they never knowed him

they couldn’t know him

never knowed him.

And Jack talked away to them about the dragon

and all this kind of stuff.

Jack said, I’d give ye a help, he said.

Very good, said Jack—said Tom

So, when the dragon come out of the sea, sure, Jack went down

and he wasn’t long fixin’ up the dragon. Drove him back in the sea

and they went back with flying colors. The dragon is drove back to the sea.

And when the old man comes home Jack is into the forge, workin’ as hard as ever he can.

I don’t know but he was makin’ an anchor for Jack Ward, I think.

Well, botheration, he said

young fella, he said

you shouldn’t to ha’ touched that rope today.

Jack said, I thought ’twas sure, he said

the dragon was coming, he said.

Someone had to (unintelligible).

Sure, he said

the dragon come. Didn’t the dragon come?

Yes, he said

they were just in time. He was just comin’ out of the sea, he said

but, he said

they beat him back.

Oh, Jack said

that was great, they beat him back.

But—Jack—now, he said

you have to be sure and come tomorrow, he said.

I brought you another pair of breeches.

And Jack said

the old pair of breeches would’ve done me.

Oh, he said

you have to put on those new breeches, he said.

You have to be dressed to the best, he said

to go see the King—the kingdom.

So in the morning they went along.

Now they passed this bell rope that Jack rung the day before.

They see all the bell ropes.

Wherever they went there’s things hanging down.

And the old blacksmith was warnin’ Jack all the time—way along.

By ’m’ by Jack comes to one

and he swings into it

and away he goes up the rope

and all is started to go again.

The old blacksmith made after Jack

but he never caught Jack.

Jack darted behind some of the buildings

Called on a horsewhip and army, a suit of his own the color of the moon.

He was goin’ out to see the dragon.

He have to go out, ’cause if Jack don’t destroy the dragon, he’s goin’ to destroy the town.

So . . . he have to go fight him.

So Jack went out. Met the dragon.

And when he went out, Bill was leadin’ the army.

He went up to Bill.

Well, me man, he said

what are you doin’ here?

Bill said, there’s a dragon comin’ from the sea, he said

to destroy the kingdom, he said

and I have to try to beat him back.

Well, Jack said

I was out just havin’ a pleasure, he said

meself and the army, he said

just for a walk. I’ll help ye, he said

if ye needs it.

I’d be more than delighted, said Bill.

Well, down they goes.

And when by ’m’ by the dragon come

and Jack goes down

sure, ’twasn’t very long before Jack had his—drove him back in the sea.

Never killed him, but have him drove back in the sea.

They goes back to the kingdom with flying colors

’bout the—the dragon didn’t—didn’t get the land, they drove him back

and he was afraid to come ashore where they were to

and all this kind of stuff.

And the lady said to the old blacksmith, she said

where was that young fella? she said.

He didn’t come yesterday, she said

I told you. Or she said

he didn’t come today.

Now, she said

if he don’t appear here tomorrow, she said

your head is goin’ to go on a spear.

She wasn’t too much then, because she knew—she thought ’twas Jack.

Oh, he said

miss, he said—

he told her what he done, runnin’ up the bell rope.

I told you, he said

he was an idle young fella.

Well, she said

I s’pose it can’t be helped, she said

if he’s idle, she said

I s’pose.

So . . . that was alright.

The old fella brought Jack another pair of breeches.

And when he went home, Jack asked him the news about the—

He was rearin’ at Jack, but he had such a time into the kingdom

and Jack was coddin’ him about the dragon

and all that, he forgot rearin’ at Jack.

Brought him another pair of breeches.

Now b’y, he said

you have to come tomorrow! Whatever else, he said

you’re goin’ to come tomorrow!

And Jack said

yes.

Now, he said

I warn you. Don’t touch nothing!

No, said Jack

he s’posed he wouldn’t.

But you know, Jack said

you sees that kind of stuff, he said

the kind of a fella I am, he said

I was always peculiar, he said.

I like to be at—doing something.

And sure, Jack said

if I didn’t to ha’ pulled on the bell rope, he said

they were only in time to beat the dragon to the sea, so you said?

Yes, he said

they were just in time. The bells rung, he said

just in time.

Jack said, damned ever those bells would’ve rung if someone didn’t ring ’em.

So . . . that was alright.

Got the new breeches

and the next morning they started off, himself and the old fella again.

They yarned it off, goin’ along

goin’ along

goin’ along.

And when they come to the last one, Jack said

Jack said, that’s the one I rung the other morning.

Yes, he said

but don’t touch it this morning.

No . . . Jack said.

No, I’m not going to touch it.

And when they come—

God, Jack said

that’s a dandy rope hangin’ down there.

And Jack twisted into the bell rope

and got all a-goin’ again.

The old blacksmith made after Jack

but sure, Jack darted out behind the—some of the buildings.

Called on a horsewhip and army, a suit of his own the color of the sun

and he was on the field ahead of Bill and Tom.

And this fella goes up

and he was leading the battle.

This fella was—was after the King’s daughter.

He didn’t get no—around her, ’cause she wouldn’t look at no one

wouldn’t speak to nobody, or nothing

because she was in the deepest quality of mourning!

Jack went up and spoke to him

and asked him what he was at.

And he up and told him.

God, Jack said

that’s not good, he said.

A dragon, he said.

Sir, he said

I’d really like help, he said.

I don’t think, he said

that we’re able to manage that dragon.

Up and tells him about the two fellas that did help ’em, this fella did.

He said that they—he drove him back to the sea, he said

but, he said

I don’t know what’s goin’ to happen today.

Jack said, I’ll give you a help, he said

if you thinks I’d be any good to you.

Be delighted, sir, he said.

Really be delighted.

So, while they were talkin’, the dragon was comin’.

And Jack said

there’s no time for talkin’ now, he said

s’pose we’ll have to go down and see ’im.

And when he got down

well, the dragon got ashore.

Jack let him land

but when he got ashore, Jack chopped the heads off him

and the battle was over in a short time.

But when Jack chopped off the heads, Jack chopped off the tongues, too. (unintelligible)

He had three heads

and Jack took the three tongues, the tops off the three tongues.

And back with him to the old blacksmith’s place, as hard as he could go.

And, begod, when he went, the old blacksmith come

because everything was in the one uproar.

The dragon was killed.

The generals come home, all blood

The soldiers was all blood.

And they had the dragon’s heads.

Oh, b’y. ’Twas an awful time!

Just like the time, now they killed the moose here the other, the other f—the other winter. [laughter]

They had the awful time, anyway, but very good.

Jack come.

And when he come, he said

he reared at Jack . . . about—

Sure, Jack said

someone had to haul on the rope, Jack said.

I told you, he said

them bells’d never ring if someone didn’t ring ’em.

Yes, but Jack, he said

yes, but me b’y, he said

you weren’t supposed to ring ’em.

Well, Jack said

if I wasn’t supposed to ring ’em, he said

there was no one else there! Jack said.

I rung ’em anyway.

Well, he said

the lady told me, he said

that you certainly have to appear, he said.

I’m invited now, he said

we’re all goin’ to be there tonight.

So Jack said

yeah. Oh, yes, he said.

He said

I brought you another pair of breeches

God, Jack said

I’m doin’ alright with the breeches! [laughter]

So . . . Jack got on the breeches

and away went himself and the old blacksmith

and the old woman and the servin’ girl Betsy.

They all went in this great hall

and sot down.

All hands sot down around the hall.

And they were goin’ around with the dragon’s heads, haulin’ them around

one after the other

one after the other.

But the lady knew Jack

and sure, Jack knew the lady too, because—

And they all knew there was something after happening.

The dragon was killed.

The lady was dressed to her best.

All the black veil was gone.

The old King was delighted, because—

and this other fella—

because they thought that he was going to get the chance with her that night

and that’d be great for ’im.

Well, they were goin’ around with all this kind of stuff

and by ’m’ by they brings it over to Jack.

And Jack looked at it.

Jack said, who killed the dragon?

Oh well, yes, they were all into it.

And Jack said

which of ye have his tongues? You know, Jack said

there was never a dragon without a tongue, Jack said.

The top is off of his tongue.

God. They all come to examine. Yes, the top was off of his tongue.

Well, Jack said

that’s strange.

And they started to wonder now, where the tops of the tongues was gone to.

Oh, Jack said

I s’pose I’ll—ye’ll have no trouble, he said

to find the tops.

Shoved his hand in his pocket

and hauled out the tops of the dragon’s tongues.

Jack said, there’s the tops of the tongues, luh (look), he said

I killed the dragon, he said.

And the lady jumped over

jumped right up in Jack’s arms

Goddamn handy killin’ him, ’cause he struck his head back agin (against) the partin’ (partition).

Damn handy knocked the life out of him.

She said, yes Jack, she said

and I knows ’twas you.

So Jack—the old King, the Queen, they all got married.

I don’t know but the whole lot was married.

I don’t know but I was married meself.

But I had a few drinks in

and now I didn’t know how she was goin’, but . . . in the mornin’ we had the great big time.

They were sot down to a tin table, eatin’.

And tin table bended, my story’s ended.

If the tin table had to be stronger, my story’d be longer.

They had coffee for tea when I come away

And if they don’t live happy, I hope to Christ we may!

Now, there you are.