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The Devil and the Farmer's Wife

from And Then I'm Going Home 2001 by Atwater-Donnelly

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Devil and the Farmer's Wife
Child Ballad #278
As learned from Dana Hamilton of Arlington, Texas. We've also heard Jean Ritchie, Pete Seeger and Sheila Kay Adams sing this song.
Recorded live at Stone Soup Coffeehouse, April 8, 2000

lyrics

Well, there was an old man, lived up on the hill
And if he ain't moved away he's a-living there still

Chorus:
Singing, hi diddle li,diddle li fi,diddle li,diddle li,ay

Well the devil came up to the farmer one day
He said "One of your family I'm gonna take away."...Chorus

"Well, please don't take my eldest son,
'Cause there's work on the farm and it's gotta be done."...Chorus

"But you can have my scolding wife,
By heaven she's the curse of my life."...Chorus

So he put the old lady upon his back
And they went off to hell with a clickety-clack...Chorus

And then they got on down to the fork in the road,
He said "Golly woman, you're one devil of a load!"...Chorus

And then they got on down to the gates of hell,
He said "Stoke up the fire boys, we'll roast her well."...Chorus

Instrumental

Well now, one little devil with a ball and chain
She up with her slipper and kicked in his brain...Chorus

And then two little devils come peepin' round the door
She up with her slipper, killed ninety-nine more...Chorus

And then ten little devils come runnin' down the hall
Saying "Take her back daddy, she'll murder us all!"...Chorus

So he put the old lady upon his back
He said "Come on woman I'm takin' you back."...Chorus

Instrumental

Well, the farmer he up and looked out a crack
He said "Oh my stars, he's bringing her back!"...Chorus

So he crawled himself up under the bed
But she yanked him out by the hair of his head...Chorus

"Well now, here's your wife, I hope she's well
If I'd kept her any longer, she'd ruin hell."...Chorus

"Now I've been a devil most all of my life
But I never been to hell till I took your wife."...Chorus

And this proves that the women are better than the men
'Cause they go down to hell and they come back again...Chorus

credits

from And Then I'm Going Home 2001, released May 9, 2001
Aubrey Atwater: vocals, mountain dulcimer
Elwood Donnelly: vocals, guitar

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Atwater-Donnelly Warren, Rhode Island

Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly, present delightful programs of traditional American and Celtic folk songs, a capella pieces, old-time gospel songs, dance tunes, and original works, blending gorgeous harmonies with guitar, Appalachian mountain dulcimer, mandolin, tin whistle, harmonica, banjo, bones, spoons, limberjacks, and Appalachian clog dancing and French Canadian footwork. ... more

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