Dance With the Devil

Dance With the Devil

I could count but eighteen years
A young man not quite grown
Chanced one night on an old man
Who was but skin and bone

I stopped by him to offer aid
But quickly turned my face away
My heart was filled with terror
At the words he had to say.

"I’ve danced with the devil
in the pale moonlight
I’ve crossed the swamps
In the dark of night.
I kissed a rattlesnake
by candlelight
And I once killed a man
just for being right.
I have been to heaven
and I've been to hell
I’ve done some things
that a man can't tell.
Look at me boy
don't forget this sight
Never dance with the devil
In the pale moonlight!"

Now I'm a man of fifty plus years
Sons and daughter that are grown
They've been good and I've been blessed
With grandchildren of my own

But I never danced with the devil
in the pale moonlight
I never crossed the swamps
In the dark of night
I've been to heaven
And I've been to hell
And I’ve done some things
That a man can’t tell
I love my children
And I adore my wife
But there are secrets
in every man’s life
If you want to be happy
If you want things right
Never dance with the Devil
In the pale moonlight