DESCRIPTION:
"The Devil Can Row" by Benton Roark
Live at Pete's Candy Store in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
April 6, 2014

featuring:
Benton Roark: guitar, voice
Kathleen Allan: voice
Seth Fruiterman: accordion, voice
Doug Perry: vibraphone, assorted percussion
Jonny Allen: kit, assorted percussion

It was late one night, not a star in sight,
When I took the john boat down to the dyke.
I was hot on the trail of the Golden Pike-
I was gonna show them boys just who was right.

It was quiet as a rock, still as a stone,
When I got the feeling that I wasn't alone,
And up rows a man in a long row boat-
His hood was black and his skin was bone,

And he smelled like death, he looked like laughter,
He said that he knew just what I was after
He said "Come with me, boy, you can leave that tackle,
It ain't a question, boy, you have to"

Row, man, row, the Devil can row
Faster than the motor on your little john boat
Ain't a prayer keep you afloat
So take a deep breath, it's down we go

When I came to, my skin was blue
In the water light of the pale yellow moon
Floating high up above, trickling through,
Getting further and further every breath I drew

Legend had it, well, I couldn't remember...
Something about a fish and a flood and a sinner.
I didn't care, man, I was gonna win her.
After all, fishes is good for dinner.

Row, man, row, the Devil can row
Faster than the motor on your little john boat
Ain't a prayer keep you afloat
So take a deep breath, it's down we go.

Well I hit rock bottom, and guess what I saw?
There were streets and houses and lights and cars,
Trees swaying in a breeze by a lake in a park...
Golden scales glowing deep in the dark.

Then came a rumble in my chest like thunder-
Those that reach too far, God splits asunder.
A crack and a horn like the Judgement Day,
Then the tide came a long, and swept me away,

Singing row, man, row, the Devil can row
Faster than the motor on your little john boat.
Ain't a prayer keep you afloat
So take a deep breath, it's down we go.

And to this day, the locals say,
If you gotta go fishing, boy, don't stray
There's a lake and a town deep down beneath
And a golden fish you'd best let be,

But if you gotta be brave, don't be a fool,
And like I did, forget this rule:
Careful what you seek, you may find
What's waiting for you at the end of your line!

Row, man, row, the Devil can row
Faster than the motor on your little john boat.
Ain't a prayer keep you afloat
So take a deep breath, it's down we go,
Take a deep breath, it's down we go,
Take a deep breath, it's down we go!
It's down we go, down we go...

(copyright 2012, T. Benton Roark)