Traditional, based on Child Ballad 278
[Verse 1]
G C G
There was an old man, he lived over the hill
G C D G
If he ain't moved away he's a-living there still
[Chorus]
G C G
Singing, hi di diddle aye diddle aye fi
C D G
Hi di diddle aye day
[Verse 2]
G C G
The devil he come to his house one day
G C D G
Says, "One of your family I'm gonna take away"
[Chorus]
G C G
Singing, hi di diddle aye diddle aye fi
C D G
Hi di diddle aye day
[Verse 3]
G C G
"Take her, my wife, with all of my heart
G C D G
And I hope to God you never part"
[Chorus]
G C G
Singing, hi di diddle aye diddle aye fi
C D G
Hi di diddle aye day
[Verse 4]
G C G
The devil he put her up on his back
G C D G
And off to hell he went clickety-clack
[Chorus]
G C G
Singing, hi di diddle aye diddle aye fi
C D G
Hi di diddle aye day
[Verse 5]
G C G
When he got her down to the gates of hell
G C D G
He says, "Punch up the fire, we'll scorch her well"
[Chorus]
G C G
Singing, hi di diddle aye diddle aye fi
C D G
Hi di diddle aye day
[Verse 6]
G C G
In come a little devil dragging a chain
G C D G
She up with a hatchet and split his brain
[Chorus]
G C G
Singing, hi di diddle aye diddle aye fi
C D G
Hi di diddle aye day
[Verse 7]
G C G
Now nine little devils come a-climbing a wall
G C D G
Saying, "Take her back daddy! She'll murder us all!"
[Chorus]
G C G
Singing, hi di diddle aye diddle aye fi
C D G
Hi di diddle aye day
[Verse 8]
G C G
The old man he was a-peeking out of crack
G C D D
And he saw the old devil come dragging her back
[Chorus]
G C G
Singing, hi di diddle aye diddle aye fi
C D G
Hi di diddle aye day
[Chorus]
G C G
Singing, hi di diddle aye diddle aye fi
C D G
Hi di diddle aye day
[Verse 9]
G C G
That's one thing women have over men
G C D G
They can all go to hell and come back again
[Chorus]
G C G
Singing, hi di diddle aye diddle aye fi
C D G
Hi di diddle aye day