Tuning: Standard (E A D G B E) Key: G Difficulty: Novice 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