The Devil Went Down to Georgia
Fiddling with Fate: Johnny's Duel with the Devil in Georgia
Lyrics
The Devil went down to Georgia,
The Devil traveled to Georgia.
He was looking for a soul to steal
He sought to steal a soul.
He was in a bind, 'cause he was way behind,
Feeling pressured because he was behind, he aimed to strike a deal.
He was willing to make a deal
He was ready to bargain.
When he came across this young man
He encountered a young man playing a fiddle skillfully.
Sawing on a fiddle and playing it hot
The young man played the fiddle exceptionally well.
And the Devil jumped up on a hickory stump and said,
The Devil addressed the young man from a hickory stump.
"Boy let me tell you what:
The Devil proposed a challenge.
I guess you didn´t know it, but I'm a fiddle player too,
He claimed to also be a fiddle player.
And if you'd care to take a dare,
He offered a daring bet.
I'll make a bet with you
The Devil proposed a bet to showcase their fiddling skills.
Now you play a pretty good fiddle,
He acknowledged the young man's fiddling talent.
Boy, but give the Devil his due
The Devil requested acknowledgment for his own skills.
I bet a fiddle of gold against your soul
He wagered a golden fiddle for the young man's soul.
'Cause I think I'm better than you"
The Devil believed he was superior.
The boy said, "My name's Johnny and it might be a sin,
The young man, Johnny, introduced himself and accepted the bet despite moral conflict.
But I'll take your bet, you're gonna regret,
Johnny was confident in his skills.
'Cause I'm the best there's ever been"
He anticipated the Devil's regret upon losing.
Johnny, rosin up your bow and play your fiddle hard,
Johnny prepared to play his fiddle intensely.
'Cause hell's broke loose in Georgia and the Devil deals the cards
Chaos ensued in Georgia, with the Devil controlling the situation.
And if you win you'll get this shiny fiddle made of gold,
The reward for winning was a golden fiddle.
But if you lose, the Devil gets your soul!
If Johnny lost, the Devil would claim his soul.
The Devil opened up his case and he said, "I'll start this show"
The Devil readied himself to start the competition.
And fire blew from his fingertips as he rosined up his bow
He prepared his fiddle with intense energy.
And he pulled the bow across the strings and it made an evil hiss
The Devil played with a sinister sound.
Then a band of demons joined in,
Demonic entities joined in with their own eerie music.
And it sounded something like this
The performance sounded disturbing.
When the Devil finished, Johnny said,
After the Devil's turn, Johnny complimented his skill.
"Well you're pretty good old son
Johnny acknowledged the Devil's proficiency.
But sit down in that chair right there
He challenged the Devil to observe his own mastery.
And let me show you how it's done!"
Johnny positioned himself to display his expertise.
Fire on the Mountain, run, boys, run
He commenced playing energetically.
The Devil´s in the house of the rising sun
A phrase indicating urgency and warning.
Chicken in the bread pan a picking out dough,
A reference to a traditional tune, implying chaos.
Granny does your dog bite, "No, child, no"
Random, nonsensical phrases often used in folk tunes.
The Devil bowed his head because he knew that he'd been beat
The Devil acknowledged defeat by bowing his head.
And he laid that golden fiddle on the ground at Johnny´s feet
He surrendered the golden fiddle to Johnny.
Johnny said, "Devil, just come on back
Johnny invited the Devil to return for another challenge.
If you ever want to try again,
He welcomed another attempt by the Devil in the future.
I done told you once, you son of a bitch,
Johnny asserted his superiority.
I'm the best there´s ever been"
He firmly stated his unrivaled skill.
He played,
Johnny continued playing.
Fire on the Mountain, run, boys, run
A repetition of the energetic tune.
The Devil's in the house of the rising sun
A recurrence of the warning phrase.
Chicken in the breadpan a picking out dough,
Repetition of nonsensical phrases from folk tunes.
Granny will your dog bite, "No, child, no"
Another repetition of the nonsensical phrase.
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