The Devil went down to Georgia yes, and had something to do
But there was no bind, so never mind, that reference wasn't true
He did come across a fiddler there, sawing quickly with his bow
The truth about that night is something everyone should know

It's true his name was Johnny, and he could play it well
It's true the Devil challenged him, with threats of death and hell
It's true they played against each other, and music filled the air
But when the contest ended, that's when ego was laid bare

Johnny rosin up your bow and whip your chicken big
Devil's come to call and make you squeal like a pig
If you win you'll get the fame of reverent stories told
But if you lose, your body's going cold

The Devil drew his violin and said "Let's get it on"
His shiny bow, it glowed like twilight dew before the dawn
When he draped it on the strings the music lit the night
And by himself, no demons there, the sound had taken flight

(... the devil plays an amazing solo ...)

When the Devil finished, Johnny boasted, "You ain't all that bad
But take a break, and check me out, 'cause I'm gonna make you sad"

Fire in your backyard, run folks run
The Devil's grilling out in the midnight sun
Pickles in your puta, push them out
"What they doin' there now?"
"Sour no doubt!"

(... johnny plays a fast, but repetitive and completely unimaginative solo ...)

Now here's where truth was hidden and the fairy tale began:
Johnny knew that he'd been beat, dropped his fiddle, turned and ran
The Devil let him go and laughed a laugh that's echoed long
Over all the years you've heard the lies of Charlie's song

For the Devil knows the truth about us all and why we lie
He knows the fear we fight against the day we have to die
He knows our destination isn't what we tell each other
Sleeping better thinking that our fate's a tender mother

And last, but never least he knows we only kid ourselves
He knows our good intentions gather dust on moldy shelves
So just remember next time you think Johnny had him beat
No matter your belief, your life displays its own deceit

Fire in your backyard, run folks run
The Devil's grilling out in the midnight sun
Pickles in your puta, push them out
"What they doin' there now?"
"Sour no doubt!"