Taken from the forthcoming vinyl-only release 'BESTEST BITS II'
All proceeds go to Barnsley Hospice.
lyrics
Lyrics by Scott Doonican
Music by Charlie Daniels, Tom Crain, Taz DiGregorio, Fred Edwards, Charles Hayward, James W. Marshall
The Devil went darn to Barnsley Tarn
He war lookin' for a soul to steal.
He war in a bind 'cos he war way behind
And he war willin' to mek a deal
When he came across this young ’un
Laikin’ on t’fiddle and playin’ shit ‘ot.
Well the Devil jumped up like a big daft lump, he said,
"Ey up, I’ll tell thee what.
I guess you didn't know it, but I'm a fiddle player, too.
And if you'd care, to tek a dare, I'll mek a bet with you.
Now, you play pretty good fiddle, lad, but I’m gunna mek thee see.
I'll bet a fiddle of gold against yer soul,
‘Coz I think I'm better than thee."
The lad said, "My name's Björn, and it might be a sin.
But I'll take your bet, you big red get
'Coz I'm t’best that's ever bin!"
Björn you better get yer bow and play your fiddle hard,
'Coz hell's brok loose in Barnsley Tarn and t’Devil deals the cards.
And if you win you get this shiny fiddle med of gold.
But if you lose, the Devil gets yer soul.
The Devil got his fiddle and he said, "Reight, off we go!"
And fire flew from his fingertips and he put on quite a show
And then he brought in Graham from Saxon, and Eliza Carthy as well
These strangers in’t night, they din’t sound shite
No, they rocked like bloody hell!
When the Devil finished, Björn just said, "Thar pretty good, t’old lad,
But sit darn ovver theer for a bit and I’ll mek thee look reight bad.”
A Doonican frum Sweden livin’ in t‘Tarn
I’ll show you what’s t’crack, I’m t’best ararnd
T’Devil’s goin’ darn ‘coz he’s Number 1
Playing them hits with The Bar-Steward Sons
The Devil bowed his head because he knew that he’d bin beat.
And he laid that golden fiddle on’t ground at Björn’s feet.
Björn said, "Devil, just come on back if thy ivver wants to try ageeain.
'Cos I told you once, you big daft chuff, I'm t’best that’s ever bin!"
A Doonican frum Sweden livin’ in t‘Tarn
I’ll show you what’s t’crack, I’m t’best ararnd
T’Devil’s goin’ darn ‘coz he’s Number 1
Playing them hits with The Bar-Steward Sons
credits
from The Devil Went Darn To Barnsley ...and other stories (2014),
released October 31, 2014
Scott Doonican: vocals, electric guitar, piano
Bjorn Doonicansson: vocals, fiddle, tenor banjo
Maartin Allcock: bass, electric guitar, electric baritone guitar, keys
Eliza Carthy: backing vocals and 'The Devil's Band' fiddle
Mike Harding: The Devil
Graham Oliver: 'The Devil's Band' electric lead guitar
Matt Townsend: drums
Track mixed and produced by Maartin Allcock at Squiggle Studios, Harlech, Wales.
Maart's parts recorded at Squiggle Studios, Harlech, Wales
Scott & Graham's parts recorded at Scott's house, Barnsley Rock City
Mike's parts recorded in Mike's shed, Settle, North Yorkshire
Matt's drums & Bjorn's banjo recorded by Glen Sutton at Skinboat HQ, Barnsley
Bjorn's vocals and fiddles recorded at Bjorn's house, Barnsley Rock City
Eliza's parts recorded in front of a load of Year 13 pupils at Whitby Community College. (Sorry Eliza!)
A HUGE thanks to all of our collaborators, particularly Maart who really did work his arse off on this. Cheers guys. We love ya!
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