The Old Farmer and the Devil

Child # 278

I got this from the John Jacob Niles Ballad Book, but since it is a Child ballad, I think it's a public domain item.

There was an old farmer went out for to plow With a nu sing naggle sing nu There was an old farmer went out for to plow He hitched up an ox and an ass and a cow With a nu sing naggle sing nu nu nu A nu sing naggle sing nu The devil flew by with a flippity-flap With a nu sing naggle sing nu The devil flew by with a flippitey-flap He carried a pitchfork wrapped up in a sack With a nu sing naggle sing nu nu nu A nu sing naggle sing nu The old farmer dropp-ed his lines and he run "The devil's a-comin' for my oldest son!" "I don't want your son nor your daughter so fair But your old scoldin' wife what's lost all of her hair" So sayin' he bundled up on his back And he left like a peddler totin' his pack He toted her down to the gates of hell Cried, "Blow up the fire, boys, we'll roast this one well!" Seven small devils came rattlin' their chains She handled a poker and mellered their brains The other small devil looked over the wall Cried, "Take her back, Daddy, she'll murder us all!" He harvest her up on his poor tired back And he left like a peddlar totin' his sack "Oh what will I do now the devil won't tell I'm not fit for Heaven and I'm too mean for Hell!"

The Digital Tradition Database has another version of this ballad, with a tune (although on 6/13/99 the tune link was broken). As an added bonus, look up the Database's Devil and the Feathery Wife for another clever woman taking on the Devil.

Last updated 06/13/99 Email me: sca_bard@yahoo.com