Back in the winter of '53 that mean old devil had it out for me
Death met the devil by the old oak tree
Death and the devil rode after me
Death held the fever nearly killed me dead
From his black magic fingers to his fiery lips
Death met the devil by the old oak tree
Death and the devil rode after me
Mama told me son be as brave as you can
Mama told Pa get the medicine man
He gave me something for the pain
He gave me something to help me sleep
He took one himself and he disappeared
He told Heaven not to let me in
Mama told me son be as brave as you can
Mama told Pa get the medicine man
Death held the fever nearly killed me dead
From his black magic fingers to his fiery lips
Death met the devil by the old oak tree
Death and the devil rode after me