There was an old couple who lived near Hell
If they’re not dead, they’re living there still
The Devil, he came to the man at the plough,
«I've come for one of your family now»
TURNAROUND:
Whack fol day, fol lickety, fol la dol day
«Which of my family do you like best?»
«Your scolding old wife, 'tis she I like best»
«Take her away with all o' me heart,
and I hope the two of ye never need part»
The Devil, he hoisted her onto his back
No peddler was ever so proud of his pack
He’s carried her off to the gates of Hell’s wall
She’s out with her boot and she’s flattened it all
Some devils came down to put her in a sack
She’s out with her boot and she’s broken their backs
The devils cried out from up on the wall
«Take her back daddy, she’ll murder us all!»
The Devil returned in the tenth of the time
«Take her back, farmer, I’m changing my mind»
«What'll you give me for taking her in?»
«I offer no more than the wages of sin»
«If you want to be rid of this scolding old hen,
You’ll never bedevil my family again»
The Devil did cry, the Devil did howl
But he never returned to the man at the plough
«Well, I’ve been a devil for most of my life,
But I ne’er was in Hell 'til I met with your wife!»