Johnny & The Devil

Johnny was a country boy

Made his living off the land

Every Saturday night he'd play the guitar

With the boys in the local band

Now the devil he played with golden fingers

Near the waters he did dwell

Made your backbone shiver, when you walked by the river

And you listened to his tunes from hell

The river runs on so freely, the river runs to the sea

Johnny sold his soul to the devil down below

Who will never more set him free

And he never can again be free

Johnny talked to the river

Shouted into the deep

You can have my soul if you give me your guitar

Make her laugh, make her mourn and weep

Up came the devil and he spoke to Johnny

You'll be the best in all the land

You'll play hot, you'll play well, as the fires from hell

But your soul will be at my command

The river runs on so freely, the river runs to the sea

Johnny sold his soul to the devil down below

Who will never more set him free

And he never can again be free

Johnny can jive and Johnny can boogie

Let the music flow so free

Play the strings so you can hear them ring

Through the bayou1 country

Now the people came from near and far

When they heard about the guitar-man

Johnny's voice got hoarse and his fingers were all bloody

But his playing never took an end

Sometimes in the dead of night

There's music sounding through the trees

The devil plays a tune on the bank of the river

Johnny's soul sings harmony

The river runs on so freely, the river runs to the sea

Johnny sold his soul to the devil down below

Who will never more set him free

And he never can again be free