Devil Went Down to Georgia

This is an online fiddle lesson for "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" by the Charlie Daniels Band.

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Genre: Country, Bluegrass
Skill Level: Advanced
Key of Dm

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Video #1: Here is a video of me playing "The Devil Went Down to Georgia."

 

"The Devil Went Down to Georgia" is a song written and performed by the Charlie Daniels Band and released on their 1979 album Million Mile Reflections.

The song is written in the key of D minor. Vassar Clements originally wrote the basic melody an octave lower, in a tune called "Lonesome Fiddle Blues" released on Clements' self-titled 1975 album on which Charlie Daniels played guitar. The Charlie Daniels Band moved it up an octave and put words to it. The song's verses are closer to being spoken rather than sung (i.e., recitation), and tell the story of a boy named Johnny, in a variant on the classic deal with the Devil. The performances of Satan and Johnny are played as instrumental bridges. The song was the band's biggest hit, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100.

source: Wikipedia

The Devil Went Down to Georgia

Prelude

The Devil went down to Georgia
He was lookin' for a soul to steal
He was in a bind 'cause he was way behind
He was willin' to make a deal

When he came across this young man
Sawin' on a fiddle and playin' it hot
And the Devil jumped up on a hickory stump
And said, "Boy, let me tell you what"

"I guess you didn't know it
But I'm a fiddle player too
And if you'd care to take a dare
I'll make a bet with you"

"Now you play a pretty good fiddle, boy
But give the Devil his due
I'll bet a fiddle of gold against your soul
'Cause I think I'm better than you"

The boy said, "My name's Johnny
And it might be a sin
But I'm gonna take your bet, and you're gonna regret
'Cause I'm the best there's ever been"

Johnny you rosin up your bow and play your fiddle hard
'Cause hell's broke loose in Georgia and the Devil deals the cards
And if you win you get this shiny fiddle made of gold
But if you lose the Devil gets your soul

The Devil opened up his case
And he said, "I'll start this show"
And fire flew from his fingertips
As he rosined up his bow

Interlude

And then he pulled his bow across the strings
And it made an evil hiss
And a band of demons joined in
And it sounded something like this

Devil's fiddle break

When the Devil finished Johnny said, 
"Well you're pretty good old son
But sit down in that chair right there
Let me show you how it's done"

Fire on the mountain, run boys, run
The Devil's in the House of the Rising Sun
Chicken in the bread pan peckin' out dough
Granny does your dog bite? No child, no!'

Johnny's first fiddle break

The Devil bowed his head
Because he knew that he'd been beat
And he laid that golden fiddle
On the ground at Johnny's feet

Johnny said, "Devil, just come on back
If you ever wanna try again
I done told you once, you old dog,
I'm the best there's ever been"

He played, 'Fire on the Mountain', run boys, run
Devil's in the House of the Rising Sun
Chicken in the bread pan peckin' at dough
Granny does your dog bite? No child, no!'

Johnny's second fiddle break and ending