Dear Musician – Fire On The Mountain

In Charlie Daniels’ 1979 Grammy-winning song, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” the Devil went in search of a soul to steal and came upon a fiddler named Johnny. It turns out that Johnny was a prodigy on fiddle. 

Seems there are those to whom playing an instrument comes naturally (almost easily), but there are others who really have to work at it. I know you probably know someone like this. I do. 

I could play a drum set the first time I ever sat down behind the kit. I intuitively knew how to play and was pretty decent at holding a beat in time. I never was a great player … rather just a good, steady 2 and 4 drummer, who eventually learned that less is more. Perhaps that natural talent to play kept me from digging in and becoming a great player – who knows.

But I have known people who were simply able to pick up an instrument and instantly astound a listener. It was like their soul was an “old soul” that had played the instrument in a past life! And, for many of them, they knew right out of the box the subtleties of tasteful playing. I’ve even met (dare I call them) children who played like old masters…sometimes to the point that they seem possessed! 

I contend that when this natural tendency is harnessed, the results can be fantastic. However, if the prodigy musician only stays “locked up in a room” with their instrument, it could create an unpleasant result. I once knew a player who performed as a clinician for a major instrument company. He was masterful! He was literally jaw dropping good! However, one night after a clinic, we went to a local venue and he was asked to play with the band. It was an unsettling experience, as, with a band, he couldn’t play his way out of a grocery sack. He had mastered the technical part of his instrument but had no real natural musicianship or experience.

What were your musical roots? Did you have to work hard to master your instrument, or did it come naturally? Did you find you could play great with a band but weren’t great on your own, or the other way around? Or, were you a great player solo and with a group? 

I‘ve posted the lyrics to The Devil Went Down to Georgia below as the story of the young musician as the victor is one to remember. I mean, when you’re good enough to throw down Fire On The Mountain with the devil and emerge the winner, it reflects that some are simply “born with it”!  -HC-

The devil went down to Georgia
He was lookin' for a soul to steal
He was in a bind

'Cause he was way behind
And he was willin' to make a deal

When he came upon this young man
Sawin' on a fiddle and playin' it hot
And 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 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'll bet a fiddle of gold
Against your soul
'Cause 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
And you're gonna regret
'Cause I'm the best there's ever been"

Johnny, rosin up your bow and play your fiddle hard 
'Cause hell's 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

Then he pulled the bow across the strings
And it made an evil hiss
And a band of demons joined in
And it sounded something like this

When the devil finished
Johnny said, "well, you're pretty good, old son
But sit down in that chair right there
And let me show you how it's done"

He played Fire on the Mountain run boys, run
The devil's in the House of the Rising Sun
Chicken in a bread pan pickin' out dough
Granny, does your dog bite? No child, no

The devil bowed his head
Because he knew that he'd been beat
And he laid that golden fiddle
On the ground at Johnny's feet

Johnny said, "Devil, just come on back
If you ever want to try again
I done told you once you son of a bitch
I'm the best that's ever been"

He played Fire on the Mountain run boys, run
The devil's in the House of the Rising Sun
Chicken in a bread pan pickin' out dough
Granny, does your dog bite? No child, no

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Charles Fred Hayward / Charlie Daniels / Fred Edwards / James W. Marshall / John Crain / William J. Digregorio

The Devil Went to Georgia lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion and music industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.