Rick Lee James plays an acoustic guitar version of the classic song about the devil challenging a young fiddler named Johnny to a high-stakes duel for his soul. He narrates the story while performing, showing how the fiddle-driven original translates to acoustic guitar.
Chapters
Well, the devil jumped up on a hickory stump, said, boy, let me tell you what. You bet you didn't know it, but I'm a fiddle player too. And if you care to take a dare, I'll make a bet with you. Now, you play a pretty good fiddle, boy, but give the devil his due. I bet a fill of gold against your soul, 'cause I think I'm better than you. Boy said, my name's Johnny, and it might be a sin, but I'll take that bet. You're gonna regret, 'cause I'm the best that's ever been. Johnny, you rise up and move and play your fiddle hard, 'cause hell's broke loose in Georgia. The devil deals in cards. If you win, you get the shiny fiddle made of gold. But if you lose, the devil gets your soul. The devil opened up his case and he said, I'll start this show. Fire flew from his fingertips. He roused up his bow and then pulled the bow across the strings. Never made any and then a band of demons joined in. It sounded something like this. Well, the devil bowed his head because he knew that he'd been beat, and he laid that golden fiddle on the ground at Johnny's feet. Johnny said, devil, just come on back if you ever want to try again. I done told you once, you son of a gun, I'm the best that's ever been. He played Fire on the Mountain, Rumbo's Run. Best I could do on that.
