Ten Little Devils- Criss (MS) pre1936 Hudson
FOLKSONGS OF MISSISSPPI- Hudson 1936
THE FARMER'S CURST WIFE
(Child, No. 278)
Two texts of this ballad have been found in Mississippi, each exhibiting distinctive features. The A text contains, with reference-to the old woman, a homely touch about the "pipe she'd left in a crack," which I have not found in other American texts. [The phrase is not that unsual; the use of the word "pipe" is. Perhaps it was misheard or has morphed into pipe.] The B text is notable for beginning as if the story is to be told in the first person. The first line is presumably addressed to the devil, and such a beginning, without stage directions, is characteristic of the traditional ballad; but the rhyming line, "The devil came after my oldest son," seems to put the story in the mouth of the farmer. Both texts are probably closer to Child A than to B. For further discussion of them, see p. 59.
Other American variants are to be found in Barry, No. 49; Campbell and Sharp, No.34; Cox, No. 30; Davis, No. 46. Both Cox and Davis list numerous other American references.
A. "Ten Little Devils." The text was obtained by Mr. Ralph L. Criss, Coffeeville, from Mrs. Tobe Young, Bryant.
1 There was an old man lived under a hill,
If he hasn't moved away he's living there still.
Sing tra la la la and tra la la la la
Tra la la la diddle de dum do.
2 Mr. Devil went visiting one day.
"There is one in your family I must take away."
3 "Surely, Mr. Devil, you are in fun;
You cannot take our only son."
4 "It is not your son that I do crave,
It is your wife, and her I must have."
5 He gathered her up upon his back
And like an old peddler went carrying his pack.
6 He carried her down ro the lower door,
He gave her a kick and said, "I'll pack you no more."
7 Ten little devils came rattling their chains;
She picked up a chunk and knocked out nine of their brains.
8 Four little devils peeped through a wall,
Saying, "Take her away; she's going to get us all."
9. He gathered her up upon his back,
And like an old fool went carrying her back.
10. They were eight years going and seven coming back;
She called for her pipe she'd left in a crack.
11 "Mr. Devil, you've done mighty well;
If she'd stayed there she'd whipped you all out of hell."