I said: Miss Johnson could you tell me
What are you shaking for
She said: Lord, they caught the devil
And they got him in jail in Eudora, Arkansas

We called it “Swamp Rock” in my day, and singer-songwriter Tony Joe White was known as “Swamp Fox”. He is perhaps best known for the song Polk Salad Annie. The song They Caught the Devil and Put Him in Jail in Eudora, Arkansas was on White’s fourth album titled simply “Tony Joe White” which was released in 1971. I don’t personally know anyone else who has ever heard it, but it certainly fits the theme for this week.

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I was walking down a dirt road
And the night was coming on fast
I had gone to borrow for some corn meal for our supper

By the time I got to Miss Johnson’s house
I knew there was something wrong
By the worried look she had upon her face

I said: Miss Johnson could you tell me
What are you shaking for
She said: Lord, they caught the devil
And they got him in jail in Eudora, Arkansas

And he’s got wings that looked like leather
And a long and forked tail
And when he touches it against the cell bars
Sparks would fly

I did not know of what she spoke
But I believed every word she said
And I burned the souls of my feet on my way back home

Well the next day a crowd had gathered
Out in front of the Eudora jailhouse
But there was not a trace to be seen of the devil

Now the jailer had been a poor man
But now his pockets were stuffed with money
And he was sitting outside in a brand new Continental Lincoln, with fender skirts on it

He would not say where he got the money
Was he a part of the devil’s bargain?
And did he set him free that night in Eudora, Arkansas?
Now who’s to say

(Songwriter: Tony Joe White )

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Thanks to A Unique Title for Me for hosting this challenge again this week. It’s so much fun!