Cat. #0481 (MFH #149) - As sung by Mrs. May Kennedy McCord, Springfield, Missouri on May 21, 1960
VERSE 1
O, there was an old farmer lived over th hill
An' if he ain't dead, he's a livin' there still
Sing a hi-dum-a-deddle-dum-di-dum-fi
Sing a hi-dum-a-deddle-dum-day
VERSE 2
O, th devil he came to th farmer, one day
Says, one of your family I'm gonna take away
Sing a hi-dum-a-deddle-dum-di-dum-fi
Sing a hi-dum-a-deddle-dum-day
VERSE 3
Alas, said th farmer, I'm undone
For I'm afraid your takin' my oldest son
Sing a hi-dum-a-deddle-dum-di-dum-fi
Sing a hi-dum-a-deddle-dum-day
VERSE 4
O, it's neither your son nor your daughter, I crave
It's your naggin' ole wife I'm a goin' for t' have
Sing a hi-dum-a-deddle-dum-di-dum-fi
Sing a hi-dum-a-deddle-dum-day
VERSE 5
O take 'er, O take 'er, with alla my heart
An' I hope to my soul, that ya never will part
Sing a hi-dum-a-deddle-dum-di-dum-fi
Sing a hi-dum-a-deddle-dum-day
VERSE 6
So, th devil he bundled her up in a sack
He slung 'er up an' over his back
Sing a hi-dum-a-deddle-dum-di-dum-fi
Sing a hi-dum-a-deddle-dum-day
VERSE 7
He took 'er down t' th gates a hell
Says, punch up th fire boys, roast 'er well
Sing a hi-dum-a-deddle-dum-di-dum-fi
Sing a hi-dum-a-deddle-dum-day
VERSE 8
O, ten little devils came in, in a row
An' she kicked them all in th fire with 'er toe
Sing a hi-dum-a-deddle-dum-di-dum-fi
Sing a hi-dum-a-deddle-dum-day
VERSE 9
Th devil came in a rattlin' his chains
An' she up with a shovel an' beat out his brains
Sing a hi-dum-a-deddle-dum-di-dum-fi
Sing a hi-dum-a-deddle-dum-day
VERSE 10
Ten little devils went over th wall
Says, take 'er back Daddy, she'll murder us all
Sing a hi-dum-a-deddle-dum-di-dum-fi
Sing a hi-dum-a-deddle-dum-day
VERSE 11
So, th poor old farmer looked out'a his shack
An' he saw th devil a bringing 'er back
Sing a hi-dum-a-deddle-dum-di-dum-fi
Sing a hi-dum-a-deddle-dum-day
VERSE 12
Th poor ole man lay flat of his back
An' she up with a poker an' give him a whack
Sing a hi-dum-a-deddle-dum-di-dum-fi
Sing a hi-dum-a-deddle-dum-day
VERSE 13
Now, I'll tell you what a woman can do
She can whip th devil an' her ole man too
Sing a hi-dum-a-deddle-dum-di-dum-fi
Sing a hi-dum-a-deddle-dum-day