The devil came to Georgia
Looking for a game to win.
He'd been hearing folks all over town
'Bout a piano-playing king.
When he stepped into the old saloon
The room got deathly still.
A ragtime player smiled and said,
"You looking for a thrill?"
The devil grinned and tipped his hat,
"I hear you're mighty slick.
They say these eighty-eight black-and-whites
Can dance beneath your fingertips.
Well, if you've got the nerve, my friend,
Let's see what you can do.
I've whipped the best from coast to coast...
Now I'm calling out you."
The piano player laughed out loud,
"You're welcome to your chance.
Just pull that bench up to the keys
And make those ivories dance.
If fortune smiles, you'll earn your brag,
If not, you'll pay the cost.
'Cause around these parts we settle things
By winning... or you've lost."
(Instrumental - the Devil's ragtime)
The devil slammed the keyboard hard,
With thunder in the bass.
Chromatic runs and tritones flew,
A wicked, frantic chase.
The chandeliers began to shake,
The windows rattled too.
The patrons held their breath and thought,
"What's Johnny gonna do?"
(Instrumental - Johnny's ragtime)
Johnny cracked a crooked grin,
And brushed the keys with style.
His left hand rolled like railroad wheels,
His right ran country miles.
The rhythm bounced from wall to wall,
The whole room stomped in time.
Even the devil had to smile...
"Now that's some ragtime!"
The last chord rang, the room stood still,
Then everybody cheered.
The devil tipped his hat once more,
"I've met my match, I fear."
He headed for the swinging doors,
But paused before he'd gone:
"If ever you get tired of this...
There's room where I come from."
Johnny winked and called him back,
"Don't bother, save your breath.
I've got a house that's full each night,
And tips that beat your bet.
You may be king below the ground,
Where smoke and shadows climb...
But nobody outplays me, son,
When it comes to ragtime!"
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