The Devil Went To Georgia (What Really Happened)

The time when the Devil went down to Georgia - it's a famous story in the form of a song. I think that most of you have probably heard of it, I've even seen it played by the Hill Billies at Disneyland, and played it on Guitar Hero. Of course, if you don't know the tune, you'll have a chance to familiar yourself with it, since I've included a link to another rendition of the song below.

It's a beautiful piece, but there's just one thing wrong with it: that's not how it really ended. So, I've taken it upon myself to set the record straight, so that y'all will know what actually happened that day in Georgia. And it started like this:

The devil went down to Georgia,
he was looking for a soul to steal.
He was in a bind 'cos he was way behind
and he was willin' to make a deal.

When he came across this young man
sawin' on a fiddle and playin' it hot.
And the devil jumped upon a hickory stump
and said: "Boy let me tell you what:

"I guess you didn't know it,
but I'm a fiddle player too.
"And if you'd care to take a dare,
I'll make a bet with you.

"Now you play a pretty good fiddle,
boy, but give the devil his due:
"I bet a fiddle of gold against your soul,
'cos I think I'm better than you."

The boy said: "My name's Johnny and it might be a sin,
"But I'll take your bet, your gonna regret, 'cos I'm the best that's ever been."

Johnny you rosin up your bow and play your fiddle hard.
'Cos hells broke loose in Georgia and the devil deals the cards.
And if you win you get this shiny fiddle made of gold.
But if you lose, the devil gets your soul.

The devil opened up his case and he said: "I'll start this show."
And fire flew from his fingertips as he rosined up his bow.
And he pulled the bow across his strings and it made an evil hiss.
Then a band of demons joined in and it sounded something like this:

[Click Here to Hear The Original Song] (1:23)


When the devil finished, Johnny said: "Well you're pretty good ol' son.

"But sit down in that chair, right there, and let me show you how its done."

Fire on the mountain, run boys, run.
The devil avoids the risin' sun.
Chicken in the bread pan, now there's less
"Granny, does your dog bite?" "Yes, child, yes."


The devil smiled and chuckled though he knew that he'd been beat.
And then he said: “I'm Satan, and I'm known for my deceit-
"See, win or lose, you'll pay your dues, while I achieve my goal.
"Cause it's a sin to deal with me, so I still get your soul.
"You take that golden fiddle, boy, and you come on down with me,
"But you will only play it here, for all eternity.”

And there's fire on the mountain, run boys, run.
The devil avoids the risin' sun.
Chicken in the bread pan, now there's less
"Granny, does your dog bite?" "Yes, child, yes."

P.S. If the devil asks you to dance, you'd better say "Never"
for a dance with the devil might just last forever.


.

Parody of "White Christmas"

I'm dreaming of a nice household

Just like the one I used to know

Where the counter-tops glisten

And children listen

To every-thing they're told to do

I'm dreaming of a nice household

With every order that I give:

“May your day be merry and bright!

And may all your chores be done right.”

.

Us Two (A.A. Milne)

Wherever I am, there's always Pooh,
There's always Pooh and Me.
Whatever I do, he wants to do,
"Where are you going today?" says Pooh:
"Well, that's very odd 'cos I was too.
Let's go together," says Pooh, says he.
"Let's go together," says Pooh.

"What's twice eleven?" I said to Pooh.
("Twice what?" said Pooh to Me.)
"I think it ought to be twenty-two."
"Just what I think myself," said Pooh.
"It wasn't an easy sum to do,
But that's what it is," said Pooh, said he.
"That's what it is," said Pooh.

"Let's look for dragons," I said to Pooh.
"Yes, let's," said Pooh to Me.
We crossed the river and found a few-
"Yes, those are dragons all right," said Pooh.
"As soon as I saw their beaks I knew.
That's what they are," said Pooh, said he.
"That's what they are," said Pooh.

"Let's frighten the dragons," I said to Pooh.
"That's right," said Pooh to Me.
"I'm not afraid," I said to Pooh,
And I held his paw and I shouted "Shoo!
Silly old dragons!"- and off they flew.
"I wasn't afraid," said Pooh, said he,
"I'm never afraid with you."

So wherever I am, there's always Pooh,
There's always Pooh and Me.
"What would I do?" I said to Pooh,
"If it wasn't for you," and Pooh said: "True,
It isn't much fun for One, but Two,
Can stick together, says Pooh, says he.
"That's how it is," says Pooh.

All's Well (Song from Gulliver's Travels)

Sung by Gabby

“'All's well, what's a rainy day

Never mind that cloud

Behind that cloud

You'll find a golden ray.

All's well, laugh your fears away.

See the light ahead,

Right ahead,

There's a moonlit night ahead.

Everyone come on have fun, all's well'

Why do they make me sing that song?

The poet who wrote it was certainly wrong!

It's bright ahead... go right ahead...

I'd rather go home and go right to bed!

My feet are wet, my bunions ache

And yet I've got to keep wide awake

Allllll night!!!

I wake folks up to tell them things are

Allllllright

and

All's well, what's a rainy day.

Never mind that cloud,

Behind that cloud

You'll find a golden ray.

All's well, laugh your fears away.

See the light ahead,

Right ahead,

There's a moonlit night ahead.

Everyone come on have fun, all's w-”

Ashes Like Snow

Can a house burn up while it's burning down?
This fire has taken up more than half the town

I calm myself down - I say a prayer
When I breathe, I can taste the smoke in the air

Black orangish clouds creep across the whole sky
The wind blows too fast, too hot, and too dry

Fear grips my chest - smoke - I can't breathe anymore
The world starts to spin, as, I sink to the floor

"All I hold dear is gone now" I cry
As ashes fall softly like snow from the sky

__________________________________________

It's wintertime here, and Christmas is coming
With holiday songs about drummer boys drumming

I hear jingling bells and see Christmas decor
Kind people wrap presents to give to the poor

Wreaths and holly will hang from each door
Fresh gingerbread man - and the children want more

The gift that I bought her, pies that I would bake
When it comes to mind, my heart starts to break

Something Christmas is missing, I'm not going to lie
I ask for a white Christmas, and what's the reply?
Just ashes falling like snow from the sky

__________________________________________

To buy me that house, I saved all my life
That house was a home, not one bit of strife

I gave up my todays for her tomorrows
I gave her a home to protect her from sorrows

Up in the hills, where the weather is drier
Our house was one of the first to catch fire

The firemen tell me beyond a doubt
That my girl didn't even try to get out

She hated her pain, she wanted to die
I feel so angry and sad - she didn't even try!
And the ash it now falls like snow from the sky

__________________________________________

My past and my future have gone up in flame
My hope, my heart, my house, my dame

This life - what's left - this ash - it's my fate
I wanted to save her, but I was too late

This nightmare I wish was just a dream
If I could speak, or breathe, I'm sure I would scream

She was scared of the dark, so I held her at night
I comforted - told her things would be alright

I told her that Christmas would be quite a sight
Said we could go see trees all dusted in white
But only ash falls like snow tonight

__________________________________________

So Christmas is here - the cheer and the laughter
The reading of stories and happy ever after

At least I'm sure that's how some people feel
Far away from this fire, where pain seems unreal

When carols are sung, and stories are read
To me it all seems so empty and dead

The lights are so bright, the beauty of night
I hear someone saying things will be alright

Then I try to breathe, but the air is too dry
I hold on to hope, at least, I do try
But inside of my soul, I've started to die
There's nothing left in me - I can't even cry
And the ash like sweet snow still falls from the sky

.

Poetry, For the WIN

The following is a set of two poems. The first poem contains a covert message, and the following poem, which was sent in reply, is encoded in the same way. If you search and study and cannot find the hidden messages, then you can select the area under the poems where I will have written the key to deciphering them.

Ice caps melt slowly, as time still ticks on

(And)

Long moments glide by, like a beautiful swan

Of all the things I could possibly do

(While)

Valiantly fighting all darkness in view

Each day that I have, I want you by my side

(Yes,)

Year by year, you and I firmly allied

Of all the dreams we have, still so bold

(Remember)

Ultimately, the end of our story is yet 'to be told'

__________________________________________________

I am impressed by your glorious talent!
Love is evident, and heaven-sent
On wings of an angel, that came and went
Victoriously despite the energy spent.

Enough about that, I want to hold
You close in my arms 'til we're both old
On retirement plans we were each sold
Until (due to Democrat schemes) they fold.

Today's not the time for that however!
Or if it is, it's time to sever
Our thoughts relating to times of never.
! Yes, let's focus on forever!

__________________________________________________

Key: Read the first letter of each line (but ignore the lines within parenthesis)

.

The Epic Story

Pull up a chair
And sit on the floor
While I tell you a very familiar tale
You've never heard before


At the dead of night
In the middle of the day
Two dead boys
Went out to play


Back to back
They faced each other
Pulled out their swords
And shot each other



The deaf policeman
Heard the noise
He came and killed
Those two dead boys


And if you don't believe me,
You can ask the blind man
He saw the whole thing...
.
.
.

Just Another Goat

Give me a torch and I'll burn the world down
But not until I rescue you
From this life of molten despair

You call it hope, and I call it pain
We'll meet in the middle
Someday when the puzzle pieces fall from the sky

The souls are crushed when truth rains down
Is there no hope?

And so signs off. . . just another lonely goat

Jesus Loves Some of the Children (A Calvinist Children's Song)

Jesus loves some of the children
Some of the children of the world
But even children are depraved
That is why they misbehave
Jesus loves some of the children of the world (1)

Jesus loves some of the children
Some of the children of the world
Every child deserves his wrath
But some he sets on heaven's path
Jesus loves some of the children of the world (2)

Jesus loves some of the children
Some of the children of the world
He died for some, yes that is true
But only those that he foreknew
Jesus loves some of the children of the world (3)

Jesus loves some of the children
Some of the children of the world
Those he calls will come to him
If your not called your future is grim
Jesus loves some of the children of the world (4)

Jesus loves some of the children
Some of the children of the world
Those he elects will persevere
But those he hates have much to fear
Jesus loves some of the children of the world (5)



Jesus loves some of the children
Some of the children of the world
All non-elect our Lord God hates
To burn in hell will be their fate
Jesus loves some of the children of the world (6)

Jesus loves some of the children
Some of the children of the world
Some will see the pearly gates
But the rest are reprobates
Jesus loves some of the children of the world (7)

Jesus loves some of the children
Some of the children of the world
Why only some? I'm glad you asked!
To display the glory of his wrath!
Jesus loves some of the children of the world (8)

Jesus loves some of the children
Some of the children of the world
Some he loves and some he hates
That's his choice, for he is great
Jesus loves some of the children of the world (9)

Jesus loves some of the children
Some of the children of the world
His sovereign will, who can resist?
Don't question God or he'll be [ticked]! (10)
Jesus loves some of the children of the world (11)


(1) Total Depravity
(2) Unconditional Election
(3) Limited Atonement
(4) Irrestible Grace
(5) Perseverance of the Saints
(6) Reprobation
(7) Double Predestination
(8) Calvinist interpretation of Romans 9:22-23
(9) God's sovereign choice and God's glory
(10) There is another word that fits quite nicely here, but I have omitted in order not to offend anyone's conscience. The word can be found in the following scripture passages: 1 Samuel 25:22, 34; 1 Kings 14:10; 16:11; 21:21; 2 Kings 9:8; 18:27; Isaiah 36:12 (KJV).
(11) Calvinist interpretation of Romans 9:14-21



Authored by Joshua Taylor, and reposted here!

Easter Hymn

Our Lord is Risen From the Dead

By Charles Wesley

Our Lord is risen from the dead!
Our Jesus is gone up on high!
The powers of hell are captive led,
Dragged to the portals of the sky.

There His triumphal chariot waits,
And angels chant the solemn lay:
Lift up your heads, you heavenly gates;
You everlasting doors, give way!

Loose all your bars of massy light,
And wide unfold the ethereal scene;
He claims these mansions as His right
Receive the King of glory in!

Who is this King of glory? Who?
The Lord that all our foes overcame;
The world, sin, death, and hell overthrew;
And Jesus is the conqueror’s Name.

Lo! His triumphal chariot waits,
And angels chant the solemn lay:
Lift up your heads, you heavenly gates;
You everlasting doors give way!

Who is the King of Glory, who?
The Lord of glorious power possessed,
The King of saints and angels, too;
God over all, forever blessed.

Alternate Lyrics to "It's a Small World"

A couple weeks ago, I found myself at Disneyland, standing in line for It's a Small World. Now I, personally, think that the ride is harmless, and rather enjoyable. Many people, especially little kids, love the ride! But a vast majority of others dislike the ride intensely because the tune can get rather... irritating. The ride lasts maybe 15 minutes, and the Small World Chorus repeats every perhaps 30 seconds - add the time you spend waiting in line and hearing the tune, and you can see how it gets old. So anyway, while I was standing in line, I realized that it would be fun to make a parody of "It's A Small World," and by the time I got off the ride, I had finished composing a song. I'd like to dedicate this song to my friend Larry who usually indicated that he would rather die than go on that ride. Here is it, Enjoy!

Original Lyrics:

It's a world of laughter, a world of tears
It's a world of hope, and a world of fears
There's so much that we share
That it's time we're aware: It's a small world after all!

It's a small world after all-
It's a small world after all-
It's a small world after all!
It's a small, small world.

(And then it repeats...)
It's a world of laughter, a world of tears
It's a world of hope, and a world of fears
There's so much that we share
That it's time we're aware: It's a small world after all!

It's a small world after all -
It's a small world after all -
It's a small world after all!
It's a small, small world.

La la la La la la

Parody Lyrics:

It's a world of water, a world of song
It's a world of dolls, and it takes way too long
It repeats, and repeats
So I think we all know: It's annoying after all!

I will never ride again -
I will never ride again -
Cus that ride drove me crazy
A long time ago!

It's a world of water, a world of song
It's a world of cheap dolls, and it takes way too long
It repeats, and repeats
So I think we all know: It's annoying after all!

I will never ride again -
I will never ride again -
If I ever ride again,
I think that I just might die!

Mostly, it's to the same It's a Small World After All tune, except for the end, in which I steal the tune from the end of the verse (The tune to "That it's time we're aware: It's a small world after all!") and put it at the end of the chorus (The tune for "It's a small world after all, it's a small small world"). Maybe that was confusing. Lemme explain a different way. My lyrics "If I ever ride again, I think that I just might die" which is at the end of my song goes with the tune from "It's a small world after all" because that has more syllables.

Two Brothers (Civil War)

This one song has been going around in my head today. The first time I heard this song, I absolutely loved it. I was at Disneyland for New Years, and I saw the "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" show, which included most of this song. While Lincoln was for the civil war, obviously, and the show seemed to back that very strongly, it also very heartfelt and touched on the tragedy of war... especially civil war. Lincoln constantly mentioned God, and the reason he fought was so that people could have liberty. Yet also remember Robert E Lee, who was a strong christian as well, yet fought for the south. In the end, perhaps the USA has less liberty because the government ended up with more power. Yet the South, who wanted liberty from government was unwilling to give liberty to those they "owned." This particular song is about two brothers who, having different political beliefs, joined opposite armies. As brothers, they must have had great affection for each other, and yet they fought for something they valued more than life itself: their ideals. It's really quite heartbreaking that both, so sincere, would be in a position where they would have to be mortal enemies that way.

Why was it on my mind? Well, besides being a beautifully haunting song, I was thinking about a similar topic. Last night I was talking to a friend of mine. A friend who I respect very much, and who I have a lot in common with. Very few people are as passionate about truth as I am. He is one of them. We both love truth, even hard truth, and are willing to stand for what we believe against all opposition. Both of us are also very sincere, wholehearted, and sensitive to what people say to us. It's hurtful when a fellow christian says that you propagate heresy, that you pervert the gospel, or that you are making god in your own image. I could recite hundreds of sincere but harsh things christians say to those they sincerely disagree with about really big issues. We are not called to be divisive, and it's sad when even non-divisive people are harsh with their words. But even beyond that, when we are all loving each other and getting along, it's still sad. One person pours their life into supporting and teaching one ideal, and their brother pours their life into teaching against those teachings. I mentioned that me and my friend have a lot in common. We both love Christ with all our hearts. The difference between us? He is as sincerely for calvinism as I am against it. Siblings in Christ, and yet we stand for different ideals. It all reminded me of this song, and so all today today it's been going around in my head. All day, I would be doing stuff like putting stickers on envelops, and in my head, I'd be remembering cannonballs and kindness.

Here's the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgGcwBH6kFw
Another version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4LI5y2QxSk

Two Brothers:
Two brothers on their way
Two brothers on their way
Two brothers on their way
One wore blue and one wore grey

One wore blue and one wore grey
As they marched along their way
The fife and drum began to play
All on a beautiful morning

One was gentle, one was kind
One was gentle, one was kind
One came home, one stayed behind
A cannonball don't pay no mind

A cannonball don't pay no mind
If you're gentle or if you're kind
It don't think of the folks behind
All on a beautiful morning

Two girls waitin' by the railroad track
Two girls waitin' by the railroad track
For their darlin's to come back
One wore blue and one wore black

One wore blue and one wore black
Waiting by the railroad track
For their darlin's to come back
All on a beautiful morning

All on a beautiful morning...

Confrontation (A Poem)

Sometimes you'll feel hurt
And perhaps angry too -
But before you confront them
Here's what you should do -

First check your own heart once
Or better yet, twice -
Make sure there's no malice
Mixed with your advice -

You need to forgive
Yes, before you go talk -
Or your heart will be hateful
And hard as a rock -

Then try to be humble
Before you condemn -
You could be the problem
It might not be them -

Don't go by opinion
But go by what's true -
You think that you're right
That's what they think too!

So go read the Bible
Which is Wisdom's book -
Do you know what it says?
Let's go take a look -

If the Scriptures say they are wrong
You know it's right -
But then hold your horses
And don't start a fight -

You are not enemies, though that's
How it may seem -
You're together in Christ
And that makes you a team -
_____________________________
Now it will be hard,
And it won't be much fun -
But pull them aside and
Talk one on one -

Be firm when you tell them
The truth that you see -
Also be quick to listen to
Their humble plea -

Perhaps things were not
All that they seemed to be -
The other perspective
Might just be the key -

Never say "Silence!
I Kill You!" no no -
Hold love in your heart
They're your friend, not your foe -

Now if they read the Bible
Quite different than you -
Respect their belief
It's the kind thing to do -

They are not rebelling
Against the Most High -
Their thoughts are sincere,
And they don't mean to lie -

Don't call them stupid
Stubborn or dumb -
Why not just be nice?
And give them some gum?

Bless your opponent
Yes, bless and don't curse -
See, odds are in favor
Of you being worse!
____________________________
But if they won't listen,
And show you the door -
Go out and bring witnesses,
Two or three more -

At this point, if they still
Refuse to agree -
Then bring the church elders
For them to go see -

However, if they start to see
All their wrongs -
Do not dance a jig
Singing victory songs -

No, do not just blame them
And harp on their flaws -
But show them the way
To obey all God's laws -

If you look for virtue,
Then virtue you'll find -
Train them in righteousness
Gently and kind -

Show patience and tough love
For all their mistakes -
You might be surprised
At the difference it makes -
____________________________
Your sins are paid for
Your eternity set -
But loving each other
Is still our good debt -

Forgive those who sin
And forgiveness you'll get -
And always remember
Or else you'll forget!

Fighting Dragons

Whenever I'm a shining knight
I buckle on my armor tight

And then I look about for things
Like rushings-out and rescuings
And savings from the dragon's lair
And fighting all the dragons there

And sometimes when our fights begin
I think I'll let the dragons win
But then I think perhaps I won't
Because they're dragons - and I don't

A poem by A. A. Milne

God is Near

God is God
When the springtime has come -
The cherry tree has lots of fruit
And picking it is fun -

God is God
When the cherry tree is bare -
When there's not even one
Little cherry to share -


God is Near
At the start of the day -
When there's lots of hope and light
When the world is okay -

God is Near
When the night is here -
When all the fun is over
And there's lots to fear -


You need God
When you're on top of your game -
You know what you're doing
And you're free from shame -

You need God
When your life is a mess -
You're disliked, you're discouraged
And you have no success -


So wherever you go,
Whether up or way down -
Go hang out with God
And it's okay to frown -

Am I Right? Am I Left?

I'm not ashamed of my flawed thoughts
I post them for all to see-
If anyone sees how they are wrong
Don't hesitate to tell me!

More Than You Know

Like the stranger who never came
Or the kid who took all the blame
All this you don't know, it won't stay the same
Because this existence - it's more than a game!

The Benefits of Ignorance

If ignorance is bliss, Father said,
shouldn't you be looking blissful?
You should check to see if you have
the right kind of ignorance. If you're
not getting the benefits that most people
get from acting stupid, then you should
go back to what you always were--
being too smart for your own good.


(a poem by Hal Sirowitz)

God's Love is Better Than Life

"Your Love is Better Than Life"
I heard this song recently, and really liked it, so here are the lyrics.

I dunno nothing that I haven't been taught,
I dunno why I was born into the family I’ve got,
I dunno if I ever had an original thought,
maybe not, maybe so, maybe later, I dunno
I dunno how I can end a prayer, then turn on a friend,
I dunno what I was thinking when I just pressed send,
I dunno why I still criticize the things I dunno
I dunno, I dunno, I dunno, but this one thing I know

Your Love is Better Than Life
Without your love, I’m just a broken machine
Your Love is Better Than Life
Without your love, it’s all a mindless routine
Your Love is Better Than Life
Without your love, I’m in another free fall
Your Love is Better Than Life
Without your love, I’ve got nothing at all

I dunno what goes down the moment we die
Do we get halos & harps? Do we sleep? Do we fly?
I dunno how, when and why this world will finally end,
Speculation’s gonna grow, who knows best, I dunno
I dunno if I should push ahead or stop and grieve,
I lie awake and wonder how to make a city believe,
I dunno when it’s a ministry and when it’s a show
maybe neither, maybe both, I dunno, but this one thing I know

Your Love is Better Than Life
Without your love, I’m just a broken machine
Your Love is Better Than Life
Without your touch I’m not a full human being
Your Love is Better Than Life
If I should ever leave, where would I go?
Your Love is Better Than Life
I look to you ‘cause you’re the lover of my soul

Here's to the lover of my soul!
Here's to the lover of my soul!

I dunno when to walk away or stand and fight
just when I’ve got it wrong, I’m sure I heard you right
and when my arguments are watertight
you expose every hole with a flash and a flood and I know
I hear you call in the eye of the storm and
I know you’ve had my back since the day I was born still
stoking my heart
still stirring my head
you’re my pillar of fire
you’re the wine, you’re the bread, and

Your Love is Better Than Life
Without your love, I’m just a broken machine
Your Love is Better Than Life
Without your love, it’s all a mindless routine
Your Love is Better Than Life
Without your love, I’m in another free fall
Your Love is Better Than Life
Without your love, I’ve got nothing at all

Your Love is Better Than Life
I dunno nothing that I haven't been taught, I dunno why I was born into the family I’ve got,
Your Love is Better Than Life
I dunno if I ever had an original thought, maybe not, maybe so, maybe soon, maybe later, I dunno
Your Love is Better Than Life
I dunno when I’ve got it right or wrong, I dunno how I can wrap it in a four minute song, but I know
Your Love is Better Than Life
My grip is better when I’m not hanging on, your love is making us strong (all along)
Your love is better than life