Deal With the Devil by Bryan Kirschner published on 2020-11-27T21:44:43Z Part of Hard Times Hundred & One, 101 original Americana songs based on photos from the Great Depression. More at hardtimes100and1.com/ Image and caption: Farmer applying for feed loan, resettlement office, Sioux City, Iowa, Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection (Library of Congress), LC-USF33- 011132-M3 Lyrics: I’ve weathered hard times more than once – but never near this bad Owing twice more than I did before, while holding half the cards I’d had There ain’t no sign of better days, fact is, things are looking worse— I don’t see a chance in hell my fortunes will reverse If you’re sensing desperation, sir Let’s be sure we’re understood— I’d make a deal with Devil if I could If I could call in fifty favors or sell a golden goose I’d stop the landlord and ten creditors from tightening their noose A hundred hours of overtime would earn me hard-earned cash in hand— But aint’ no men wanted here nor there, up and down this whole hard land If I ain’t past the point of no return, Then I’m in the neighborhood-- So I’d make a deal with the Devil if I could It’s so damn long since the good times went If I had ever dollar I that ever spent I could still use a hand from the government— And a few months of forebearance When you’ve gone begging to your neighbors, and you’ve buttonholed your kin But there ain’t no help forthcoming, ‘cause everybody’s feeling thin You swallow your pride, you hold your nose, and you pray you don’t regret— Crawling hat in hand to the bankerman, and doubling down on debt Yeah, I’ll take your money, Mr. Banker Though the terms they ain’t no good— ‘Cause I’d make a deal with the Devil if I could Genre Folk & Singer-Songwriter
