Most of us can't tell whether the old fiddler is playing just right or not.
They have a standard and a style that's all their own.
So do the ballad singers.
Mrs. Texas Gladden of Salem, Virginia,
is going to sing for us now one of the old child ballads,
a ballad that's been handed down traditionally in the Appalachian region
ever since our forefathers came over here.
This ballad is called The Farmer's First Wife.
Mrs. Texas Gladden.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Then the devil came to the old man one day.
Says one of your family I'd sure take away.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Then said the old man now surely I'm done.
For the devil's son comes from all this fun.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Diddle I diddle I did.
It's not your oldest son I pray.
But your old stolen wife I'll sure take away.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Then take her away with all your heart.
I hope from hell she never does part.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Then he shoved her up on his back.
And off to hell he went clickety-clack.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Then he sent her down at the fork of the road.
And he says old gal you're a terrible load.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Then he sent her down at old Hell's Gate.
And there he made the old gal walk straight.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Then two little devils come around in their chains.
She offed with a slipper and she knocked out the brains.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Then one little devil went climbing the walls.
To take her back daddy she's a murdering assault.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Then he shoved her up on his back.
And like an old fool he went lugging her back.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Diddle I diddle I did.
The old man was a peeping through the cracks.
And he saw the old devil come lugging her back.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Diddle I diddle I did.
The old man was laying sick in the bed.
And she took the butter stick and faddled his head.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Then said the old man we're bound for a curse.
For she's bound to hell and she's ten times worse.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Diddle I diddle I did.
The old woman went whistling over the hill.
Says the devil won't have me I wonder who will.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Then surely the women are worse than the men.
For they're bound to hell and come back again.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Diddle I diddle I did.
Thank you.