262. The Devil's Nine Questions (Child 1) - (Traditional)

This is the first of the English and Scottish ballads collected by Francis James Child, often known as "Riddles Wisely Expounded", which lists a set of riddles being asked of a maid by the devil who may or may not be in disguise.

The ballad dates back to the middle of the fifteenth century but this is a relatively modern American version. I have yet to find a version which actually has a ninth question. This one, like the others I've heard, only has eight!

You can watch a playlist of my renditions of the Child ballads:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B2D0D5657EA394E4

For lyrics and chords of my songs please see my website: http://www.raymondcrooke.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• folk
• song
• ballad
• riddles
• devil
• questions

[CapriUni]

I just had this thought: Perhaps the ninth question is: Does she belong to God or the Devil? And the answer to *that* question is bundled within the other eight answers.

(one version I know [I think from a Jean Ritchie recording... maybe...] says "Hunger is sharper than a thorn.)

[raymondcrooke]

@CapriUni I think you could be right. That's the most important question after all.

[SirCoughsalot]

I guess the ninth question was lost to time.

[raymondcrooke]

@SirCoughsalot Or see CapriUni's suggestion in the comment above.

[ShayLee0501]

@CapriUni I think the devil answered the 9th question himself when he said "you are God's and not mine" too.