The Devil's Nine Questions; Mary Estep, Clay Co. KY; 1958
[From Robert's "In the Pines," 1978. "The Devil's Nine Questions" sung by Mary Estep, Clay Co. KY 1958, known by her grandfather. Her great aunt helped with the verses. Music currently unavailable. Robert's notes follow.
There are nine questions in this version, instead of the standard eight with two filler stanzas (first and last).
R. Matteson 2011, 2014]
The present text is again close to that of Davis's. It has these differences: 'The refrain is more incremental or commonplace than nonsense, and it does have the nine questions as expected from the title. It was recorded by Marie Estep of Clay County- Kentucky, in 1958. She quoted her mother as saying, "It was sung by my father when he was as child." Marie further stated, "Since my mother did not know all of the ballad I persuaded my great aunt (no name given) to sing this much of it." This seems to be the first text reported from Kentucky.
1. What is whiter than milk?
And what is softer than silk?
If these questions you don't know,
Then down to Hell with me you'll go.
2. Snow is whiter than milk
And down is softer than silk
Since these answers I do know,
Then down to Hell I won't go.
3. What is louder than a horn?
And what is sharper than a thorn?
If these questions you don't know,
Then down to Hell with me you'll go.
4. Thunder's louder than a horn
And a knife is sharper than a thorn
Since these answers I do know,
Then down to Hell I won't go.
5. What is higher than a tree?
And what is deeper than the sea?
If these questions you don't know,
Then down to Hell with me you'll go.
6. The sky is higher than a tree
And Hell is deeper than the sea
Since these answers I do know,
Then down to Hell I won't go.
7. What is meeker than a lamb?
And what is meaner than woman?
If these questions you don't know,
Then down to Hell with me you'll go.
8. A babe is meeker than a lamb
And the devil is meaner than a woman,
Since these answers I do know,
Then down to Hell I won't go.
9. And this is the last of the nine
Are you are God's or mine?
I'm God's I'll have you know,
And with you I won't go.