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The Devil's NIne Questions

by He Mistook Her For A Swan

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about

The Devil meets a Bonny Lassy and challenges her to a series of riddles or questions. If she fails to answer the questions correctly - she'll be dragged down to hell! This is an American version of Child Ballad number one - Riddles Wisely Expounded. We learned the words from the version Texas Gladden that was recorded by Alan Lomax in 1942. You may notice that there only seem to be 8 questions, but the ninth is the refrain you hear in every verse - 'Who's the Weavers Bonny' meaning - who belongs to God and who can the Devil take for his own!

lyrics

If you dont answer my questions nine
Sing ninety nine and ninety
I’ll drag you down to hell alive
And who’s the weavers bonny

What is whiter far than milk
Sing ninety nine and ninety
And what is softer far than silk
And who’s the weavers bonny

Snow is whiter far than milk
Sing ninety nine and ninety
And down is softer far than silk
and me the weavers bonny

And what is higher than a tree
Sing ninety nine and ninety
And what is deeper than the sea
And who’s the weavers bonny

Well heaven’s higher than a tree
sing ninety nine and ninety
And hell is deeper than the sea
And I’m the weavers bonny

What is louder than a horn
sing ninety nine and ninety
What is sharper than a thorn
who’s the weaver’s bonny

Well thunder’s louder than a horn
sing ninety nine and ninety
And death is sharper than a thorn
and I’m the weavers bonny

What’s more than innocent than a lamb
sing ninety nine and ninety
And what is meaner than womankind
and who’s the weaver’s bonny

A babe’s more innocent than a lamb
sing ninety nine and ninety
and the devil’s meaner than womankind
and I’m the weavers bonny

Now you’ve answered my questions nine
sing ninety nine and ninety
You are God’s not one of of mine
and you’re the weaver’s bonny

credits


Steve Koch : Guitar, Bass, Devilish Vocals, Arrangement
Colleen Hodgson : Heavenly Vocals
Grier Coppins - Bagpipes and good advice!

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He Mistook Her For A Swan Toronto, Ontario

He Mistook Her For A Swan are the Canadian folk duo Colleen Hodgson and Steve Koch. Working from rustic studios in norther Ontario they perform sad and beautiful songs of love and loss. From the treasure chest of British and American traditional songs and select artists they pull the best and darkest songs out for your listening pleasure. ... more

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