Devil's Gonna Get You
Dance with the Devil: Bessie Smith's Warning
Lyrics
It's a long, long lane that has no turning
Life is unpredictable and challenging.
And the fire that always keeps on burning
There are enduring troubles or challenges.
Mister Devil down below, pitchfork in his hand
The devil is portrayed with a pitchfork, a symbol of evil.
And that's where you are going to go, do you understand?
A warning that the listener is headed for trouble or damnation.
Devil's gonna git you
Repetition emphasizing the certainty of facing consequences from the devil.
Devil's gonna git you
-Oh, the devil's gonna git you
-Man, just as sure as you're born
-Devil's gonna git you
Expressing disapproval of the listener's behavior.
Devil's gonna git you
-Oh, the devil's gonna git you
-The way you're carryin' on
-You go away, stay for weeks
Describing the unfaithful actions of the listener.
On your doggone spree
-Come back home, get in my bed
-And turn your back on me
-Oh, the devil's gonna git you
Reiterating the inevitability of facing consequences for one's actions.
I mean the devil's gonna git you
-Man, the devil's gonna git you
-Sure as you're born
-Dirty two timer, dirty two timer
Labeling the listener as untrustworthy or deceitful.
Dirty two timer, you ain't coming clean
-Oh, the devil's gonna git you
Repetition of the warning about the impending consequences from the devil.
I mean the devil's gonna git you
-Oh, the devil's gonna git you
-You know what I mean
-I don't want no two time stuff from my regular man
Expressing a desire for faithfulness and rejecting anything tainted or used.
Don't want nothing that's been used 'cause it's second hand
-The devil's gonna git you
Reinforcing the belief in facing consequences, possibly death, for unfaithful actions.
Oh, the devil's gonna git you
-Man, the devil's gonna git you
-Sure as you're born to die
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