There was an old man lived at the foot of the hill If he ain't moved away, he's a-livin' there still Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
He hitched up his horse and went out to plough How he got around, we never knew how Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
Old devil come to him in the field one day Sayin', 'One of your family I'm gonna take away' Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
Take her on, take her on with the joy of my heart I hope by golly you'll never part Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
Old devil got her all up on his back He looked like a pedlar with a hump on his back Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
Old devil got to the forks of the road He said, 'Old lady, you're a hell of a load' Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
Old devil got to the gates of hell Said, 'Punch (?) the fire up, we'll scorch her well' Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
Out come a little devil a-draggin' a chain She picked up a hatchet and split out his brains Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
Out come a little devil a-skatin' on a wall Sayin, 'Take her back, daddy, she's a-murderin' us all' Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
Little devil was a-peepin' out the crack Sayin', 'Take her home, daddy, don't you bring her back Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
The old man was a-peepin' out the crack He see'd they old devil come wagonin' her back Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
The old man lay sick in the bed She up with a butter stick and rattled his head Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
The old lady went whistlin' over the hill Sayin', 'The devil won't have you and I don't know who will' Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
Now you see what a woman can do She can outdo the devil and the old man too Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
The old lady went whistlin' over the hill Sayin', 'The devil won't have you and I don't know who will Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
The old man was a-peepin' out the crack He see'd they old devil come wagonin' her back Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
The old man lay sick in the bed She up with a butter stick and rattled his head Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
Now you see what a woman can do She can outdo the devil and the old man too Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day.
Source: transcription of 'Old Lady and the Devil' recorded by Bill and Belle Reed on 17 October 1928 in Johnson City, Tennessee. Reissued on Various Artists 'Anthology of American Folk Music Vol I: Ballads' Smithsonian/Folkways SFW 40090.