There was an old man lived over the hill.
       Oh, Johnny, be gay.
There was an old man lived over the hill.
If he ain't moved away, he's a-livin' there still.
       Johnny, be gay if you can be.
The devil come up to the old man one day.
       Oh, Johnny, be gay.
The devil come up to the old man one day,
And he says, "Your old lady I'm takin' away."
       Johnny, be gay if you can be.
"Well, take her, please take her with all o' my heart.
Oh, yeah, you can have her with all o' my heart.
I hope to my soul you two never part."
The devil he packed her up on his back.
The devil he packed her up on his back.
Straight down the hill he went clickety-clack.
Well, ten little devils said, "Welcome to hell."
Yeah, ten little devils said, "Welcome to hell.
Pa, turn up the fire; we'll sizzle her well."
She caught four little devils out playin' tricks.
She caught four little devils out playin' tricks.
She bound 'em up tightly an' beat 'em with sticks.
Well six scared little devils they run down the hall.
Six little devils they run down the hall,
Cryin', "Take her back, daddy; she's killin' us all."
Oh, the devil he flung her up on his back.
The devil he flung her up on his back.
Straight out o' hell he come clickety-clack.
She found her ol' man layin' late in his bed.
She found her ol' man layin' late in his bed,
An' she picked up a butterknife, went to his head.
The old woman went whistlin' over the hill.
       Oh, Johnny, be gay.
The old woman went whistlin' over the hill.
"Devil won't have me; I wonder who will?"
       Johnny, be gay if you can be.
       Johnny, be gay if you can be.
       Johnny, be gay if you can be.