"Jack Monroe" (Roud 268 and Laws N7), also known as "Jack Munro," "Jackie Monroe," "Jacky Robinson", "Jack-A-Roe," "Jackaroe," "Jackaro," "Jackie Frazier," "Jack the Sailor," "Jack Went A-Sailing," "The Love of Polly and Jack Monroe", "The Maid of Chatham", among other titles, is a traditional ballad of uncertain (though presumably British) origin.
American broadsides of the song date back to around 1830.
The song is a staple of the folk rock repertoire and has been performed by Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and more commonly, The Grateful Dead (as "Jack-A-Roe"). In 1931, Florence Reece used this tune for her song "Which Side Are You On?". Also performed by Melora Creager of Rasputina on Ancient Cross-Dressing Songs.
Collected Versions
This song has been collected !7 times in Scotland. It has only been found twice in England - as "The Maid of Chatham" by Sabine Baring-Gould in Devon in 1893, and as "Jacky Robinson" by Ralph Vaughan Williams in Essex.