7369 old music 2402 - KET
7369 old music 2402 - KET
7369 old music 2402 - KET
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The Devil and the Farmer’s Wife<br />
(Traditional)<br />
This <strong>old</strong> ballad tells a story that (according to folklorist Alan Lomax) has been<br />
enjoyed in many cultures for more than a thousand years. It’s known rather widely<br />
in this country in a version that comes from Scotland. In our rendition, we use a<br />
tune from North Carolina singer Bobby McMillan with verses assembled from all<br />
over.<br />
There was an <strong>old</strong> farmer lived up on the hill<br />
And if he ain’t moved away he’s a-living there still<br />
Hi fi diddle-l fi, hi diddle-l diddle-l day<br />
The <strong>old</strong> devil came up to the farmer one day<br />
Says one of your family I’m gonna take away<br />
Hi fi diddle-l fi, hi diddle-l diddle-l day<br />
Oh please don’t take my <strong>old</strong>est son<br />
There’s work on the farm and it’s gotta get done<br />
Hi fi diddle-l fi, hi diddle-l diddle-l day<br />
But you can take my <strong>old</strong> sc<strong>old</strong>ing wife<br />
I swear that she’s the curse of my life<br />
Hi fi diddle-l fi, hi diddle-l diddle-l day<br />
So the devil took her up all on his back<br />
Went down the road with a wickety-wack<br />
Hi fi diddle-l fi, hi diddle-l diddle-l day<br />
Carried her off about a mile down the road<br />
Said, <strong>old</strong> woman you’re a devil of a load<br />
Hi fi diddle-l fi, hi diddle-l diddle-l day<br />
Carried her off to the gates of hell<br />
Says, poke up the fire boys, roast her well<br />
Hi fi diddle-l fi, hi diddle-l diddle-l day<br />
Here’s two little devils with a ball and chain<br />
She picked up her foot and kicked out their brains<br />
Hi fi diddle-l fi, hi diddle-l diddle-l day<br />
Here’s three little devils peeked around the door<br />
She picked up a broom, killed eight or ten more<br />
Hi fi diddle-l fi, hi diddle-l diddle-l day<br />
Here’s nine little devils went climbing up the wall<br />
Saying, take her back daddy, she’ll murder us all<br />
Hi fi diddle-l fi, hi diddle-l diddle-l day<br />
Got up next morning, looked out at the crack<br />
Oh my God, he’s bringing her back<br />
Hi fi diddle-l fi, hi diddle-l diddle-l day<br />
The <strong>old</strong> farmer got down in under the bed<br />
The devil jerked him out by the hair of his head<br />
Hi fi diddle-l fi, hi diddle-l diddle-l day<br />
<strong>KET</strong>, The Kentucky Network 37
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