The Devil & Billy Markham by Shel Silverstein,
Adaptation by Tui Scanlan (artistic license taken)
Performed at Ong King Arts Center 10/27/2007 @ "The Feast"
Transcribed by George D'range for the benefit of the viewer
(I'm only guessing, based on multiple views and familiarity,
any gaffs and errors, or are not noted here)
Cast:
Tui Scanlan: The Devil/Ensemble
Sylvan Gaskin: Billy Markham
Harumi "The Hymn" Ueda: God/Imp/Ensemble
John Guerrero: Scuzzy Sleazo/Ensemble
Ashley Yamaguchi: Sweet Love/Ensemble
Ayme Ueda: Baby Daughter/Ensemble
Sean"Jeebus" Canez: Momma/Imp/Ensemble
Act I, Scene I
The Devil walked into Linebaugh's on a rainy Nashville night
While the lost souls sat and sipped their soup in the sickly yellow neon light.
And the Devil turned, and looked around the room, got down on one knee.
He said, "Is there one among you scum who'll roll the dice with me?"
Red, he just strums his guitar, pretending not to hear.
And Eddie, he just looks away and takes another sip of beer.
Vince, he says, "Not me, I'll pass, shit, I've had my share of Hell,"
And kept scribbling on a napkin, some song he was sure would sell.
Ronnie, he just kept whisperin' low to the snuff queen who clutched at his sleeve,
And somebody coughed -- and the Devil scoffed -- and turned on his heel to leave.
"Hold on," says a voice from the back of the room. "'fore you walk out that door.
If you're lookin' for some action, friend, well, I've rolled some dice before."
And there stood Billy Markham, he'd been on the scene for years,
Singin' all them raunchy songs that the town didn't want to hear.
He'd been cut and bled a thousand times, and his eyes were wise and sad,
And all his songs were the songs of the street, and all his luck was bad.
"I know you," says Billy Markham, "from many a dark and funky place,
But you always spoke in a different voice and wore a different face.
While me, I've gambled here on Music Row with hustlers, hacks and whores,
I ain't afraid to shake them dice, now give me them dice of yours."
"Well, then, get down," says the Devil, "You put that guitar away,
And you take these dice in your luckless hand and I'll tell you how this game is played.
You get one roll -- and you bet your soul -- and if you roll thirteen you win,
And all the joys of flesh and gold are yours to touch and spend.
But if that thirteen don't come up, then kiss your ass goodbye
And will your useless bones to God, 'cause your goddamn soul is mine!"
"Well, shit" says Billy Markham. "I really don't mean to bitch.
I never expected to play my roll in fuckin' suckers game like this."
And Billy Markham, he takes them dice, and the dice feel as heavy as stones.
"They should," the Devil says, "'they carved out of Jesus' bones."
And then Billy Markham turns the dice, and the dice, ain't got no spots.
"I'm sorry," says the Devil, "but them's the only ones I got."
"Well, shit," says Billy Markham. "Now, I really don't mean to bitch,
But I never thought I'd stake my roll in a sucker's game like this."
"Well, then, walk off," says the Devil. "Nobody's tied you down."
"Walk off where?" says Billy Markham. "This is the only game in town.
But I just wanna say 'fore I stake my play, that if I should chance to lose,
I will this guitar to some would-be star who' ain't afraid to play some honest blues,
Who ain't afraid to sing some words like damn or shit or fuck
And who ain't afraid to put his ass on the stage where he makes his bucks.
But I just wanna say 'fore I stake my play,
If he plays this guitar safe, and sings some sugary lies,
I'll haunt him till we meet in Hell -- now, gimme them fuckin' dice."
And Billy Markham shakes the dice and yells, "Come on, thirteen!"
And the dice, they roll -- and they come up blank.
(Laughter) "You lose!" the Devil screams.
"But I really must say 'fore we go our way that I really do like your style.
Of all the fools I've played and beat, you're the first one who lost with a smile."
"Well, shit," says Billy Markham. "Those odds weren't too damn bad.
In fourteen years on Music Row, that's the best damn chance I ever had."
Then, the Devil takes Billy under his cloak,
as they walk out through Linebaugh's door,
And Billy looks hard at the (spot?) guitar on the floor.
And if you go into Linebaugh's now, you can see it there today
Hangin' from a nail on the wall of peelin' gray [
Billy Markham's old guitar . . .
That nobody dares to play.
Loading...
5:40
Shel Silverstein on "The Johnny Cash Show"by abargle248,495 views
Answer: God just wants the attention. The Devil keeps stealing his spotlight with all those damned raves and concerts, and such!
OngKingLive 4 years ago
God kept throwing off people's lines, or was he bidding for attention (lol)? entertaining
-J
headsupjg 4 years ago