The Devil and the Farmer- E. W. H. (MA) 1909 Barry C
From: The Transmission of Folk-Song
by Phillips Barry
The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 27, No. 103 (Jan. - Mar., 1914), pp. 67-76
THE DEVIL AND THE FARMER- "The Farmer's Curst Wife," C (Folk-Songs of the North Atlantic States); from E. W. H., Boston, Mass. 1909.
1. The Devil came to the farm one day,
With his tol de rol, tol de rol,
Diddle doll day.
2. "Oh, say! have you come for my oldest son?
With your tol de rol," etc.
3. "Oh, no! I've not come for your eldest son,
With my tol de rol," etc.
4. "Oh! then, have you come for my hired man?
With your tol de rol," etc.
5. "Oh, no! I've not come for your hired man,
With my tol de rol, etc.
6. "But I have come for your scold of a wife,
With my tol de rol," etc.
7. "Take her right off, she's the plague of my life,
With your tol de rol," etc.
8. The Devil came back to the farm next day,
With his tol de rol, etc.
9. "Oh, say! I've brought back your scold of a wife,
With my tol de rol, etc.
10. "She filled all hell with clamor and strife,
With her tol de rol," etc.