Ole Devil and the Lady- Krussel (MO) 1975 Hunter
[From: Missouri State's Max Hunter Folk Song Collection; edited. http://maxhunter.missouristate.edu/songinformation.aspx?ID=1541]
Ole Devil and the Lady- As sung by David Krussel, Turners Station, Missouri on March 26, 1975
VERSE 1
There was an ole man at the foot of the hill
If he ain't moved away, he's livin' there still
Singin' hi-diddle-i-diddle-i-fi
Diddle-i-diddle-i-day
VERSE 2
Well, he hitched up his horse [1] an' he went out t' plow
How he got around I never know how
Singin' hi-diddle-i-diddle-i-fi
Diddle-i-diddle-i-day
VERSE 3
Ole Devil come to 'im, in the field one day
Sayin' one of your kin I'm gonna take away
Singin' hi-diddle-i-diddle-i-fi
Diddle-i-diddle-i-day
VERSE 4
Well, take 'er on, take 'er on, with the joy of my heart
Hope by golly, that you never part
Singin' hi-diddle-i-diddle-i-fi
Diddle-i-diddle-i-day
VERSE 5
Th ole Devil got 'er up on his back
Looked like a peddler with a hump on his back
Singin' hi-diddle-i-diddle-i-fi
Diddle-i-diddle-i-day
VERSE 6
Ole Devil got out t' the forks of th road
He said, ole lady you're a hell of a load
Singin' hi-diddle-i-diddle-i-fi
Diddle-i-diddle-i-day
VERSE 7
Ole Devil got t' the gates of Hell
Said, push up the fire, we'll scorch 'er well
Singin' hi-diddle-i-diddle-i-fi
Diddle-i-diddle-i-day
VERSE 8
Up come a little Devil a draggin' a chain
She up with a hatchet, split out his brain
Singin' hi-diddle-i-diddle-i-fi
Diddle-i-diddle-i-day
VERSE 9
Up come a little Devil a skatin' on the wall
Said, take 'er back Daddy, she'll murder us all
Singin' hi-diddle-i-diddle-i-fi
Diddle-i-diddle-i-day
VERSE 10
A little Devil was peepin' out-a the crack
Said, take 'er back Dad, don't you bring 'er back
Singin' hi-diddle-i-diddle-i-fi
Diddle-i-diddle-i-day
VERSE 11
Ole man was a peepin' out-a the crack
Seen the ole Devil come a draggin' 'er back
Singin' hi-diddle-i-diddle-i-fi
Diddle-i-diddle-i-day
VERSE 12
Ole man lay sick in the bed
She up with the butter stick, paddled his head
Singin' hi-diddle-i-diddle-i-fi
Diddle-i-diddle-i-day
VERSE 13
Ole lady went a whistlin' over the hill
Said the Devil won't have me, I don't know who will
Singin' hi-diddle-i-diddle-i-fi
Diddle-i-diddle-i-day
VERSE 14
Now, you see what a woman can do
She can out do the Devil an' th ole man too
Singin' hi-diddle-i-diddle-i-fi
Diddle-i-diddle-i-day
1. usually its hog, not horse- since a horse plowing is normal.