Old Man Under the Hill- Gilbert (AR) 1970 Hunter
[From Missouri State- Max Hunter Folk Song Collection. This version is sung/recited by Gilbert who appears to be reading the text and clearly did not know the version from memory. Hunter has grouped the lines incorrectly, so I've changed them.
Listen: http://maxhunter.missouristate.edu/songinformation.aspx?ID=1134
R. Matteson 2013]
The Old Man Under the Hill- As sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on April 9, 1970
VERSE 1
There was an ole man lived under the hill
An' if he ain't dead he's livin' there still
VERSE 2
The ole man went to the field to plow
T' save his life, he didn't know how
VERSE 3
The Devil came creepin' across the field
Sayin' one of your family I'm goin' to steal
VERSE 4
You cain't have my son
For the work just begun.
VERSE 5
You can have my scoldin' wife
But you cain't keep her to save your life
VERSE 6
Then he put her on his ole back
[Like an old pedlar carryin' his sack]
VERSE 7
Carried her to Hell's bright gate
He told her she'd better walk straight.
VERSE 8
Three little Devils came draggin' their chains
She picked up her foot an' kicked out their brains
VERSE 9
Four little Devils peeked over the wall
Sayin': Take 'er way Daddy she's killin' us all.
VERSE 10
Th little Devil said, Hold her higher
She up with 'er foot an' kicked 'im in the fire
VERSE 11
Well, he picked her up on his ole back
Like a fool went carryin' her back
VERSE 12
When she got near her home she give a big yell
An' swore that she whipped all devils in hell
VERSE 13
It was seven years ago when she came back
She called for her pipe she left home in the crack
VERSE 14
An' when she got there her ole man was in bed
She picked up a plate an' battered his head
VERSE 15
The ole man went whistlin' over the hill
Said, if the Devil won't have you I don't know who will