The Devil went down to Georgia
He was lookin' for a soul to steal
He was in a bind the way behind and willing to make a deal
When he came across this young man
Pickin' a guitar and playin' it hot
The Devil jumped up on a hickory stump and said
"Boy, let me tell you what. "
"I guess you didn't know it, but I'm a guitar player, too
And if you'd care to take this dare I'll make a bet with you
Now you a pretty damn good strummer, boy
But give the Devil his due
I'll bet a guitar of gold against your soul
That says I'm better than you"
But the boy said, "My name's Johnny, and it might be a sin
But I'll take your bet; you're gonna regret
I'm the best there's ever been. "
The Devil opened up his case and he said
"I'll start this show"
And fire flew from his fingertips as he tuned his axe down low
And he pulled that pick across the strings
And it made an evil hiss
Then a band of demons all joined in
And it sounded just like this
When the Devil finished
Johnny said, "Well, you're pretty good, old son
Well sit your old ass in that chair right there
Let me show you how the fuck it's done. "
The Devil bowed his head
Because he knew that he'd been beat
And he laid that gold guitar down
On the ground at Johnny's feet
But Johnny said, "Devil, just come on back
If you ever wanna try again
I done told you once, you son of a bitch
I'm the best that's ever been"