The Farmer's Curst Wife- J. H. W. (MA) 1908 Barry A
From: New Ballad Texts
by Phillips Barry
The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 24, No. 93 (Jul. - Sep., 1911), pp. 344-3
"The Farmer's Curst Wife," A, Folk-Songs of the North Atlantic States, from J. H. W., Cambridge, Mass., as traditional in the family of a descendant of Roger Williams.
1. There was an old man who lived in the West,
Who had a wife was none of the best.
With a right leg, left leg,
Upper leg, under leg,
Over the hills to Rowley.
[The old man calls for the Devil. He comes, and takes the old woman to hell.]
2. She kicked seven imps into the fire,
She kicked the old Devil three pegs higher.
3. The devils, they all began to cry and squall,
"Take her back, or she'll kill us all!"
[The Devil takes her back, saying, - ]
4. ". . . .
She beat the Devil and conquered hell!"