The Devil On Crutches

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The Devil On Crutches

This is one of those songs where a great title resonated with me musically - and then I

simply had to follow it wherever it lead.

It was a long journey that rendered a long song. But I think it was worth the trouble.

You'll have to decide for yourself.

To follow such a title wherever it leads is a scary proposition. You see, "the Devil", even if the Devil is, as some say, "not real, just an idea" - well, ideas can be powerful things.

The Devil is not to be trifled with, in or outside of song. And when on crutches, he (or she) can be oh so persuasive.

The Devil On Crutches

The Devil On Crutches hopped into the room

Called for a drink and he called for a song

I was a young boy, alone and naive

The tune was real catchy so I sang along

Over and over we lifted the glass

By the light of the stars and the moon

And after a while - The Devil on crutches,

He laughed

He said "Ay ay ay ay ay"

The Devil suggested that I would be wise

To choose a young lady and ask her to dance

Then he'd be my tutor and throw me my lines

One girl was so lovely

I jumped at the chance

Over and over we danced through the night

By the light of the stars and the moon

And when it was over the Devil on crutches,

He smiled

He said "Ay ay ay

Ay ay ay

Ay ay ay can see

For you there's a promising future

With me

The Devil invited me out on the town

Said he would lend me his powers to see

Up past the rooftops we flew through the night

The things that he showed me

You wouldn't believe.

People were cheating and people were thoughtless

And everywhere love was a lie

And after a while I turned to the Devil and sighed

I said "Ay ay ay

Ay ay ay

Ay ay ay can see

This world is no place for a good boy

Like me

The Devil On Crutches said "Ay ay ay ay"

He flexed his game leg and he told me "Relax

All of your problems are easily solved

If you find the courage to look at the facts

"Look at this world and the people within it

Lost in their pitiful lives

All is illusion and it will all pass away presently

How will you feel on your last dying day

If you've never had much fun?

Will you have regrets?

Part of me knew that the Devil was wrong

But part of me feared that the Devil was right

So thinking a devil on crutches would know

I asked where the the bad girls had got to tonight

The Devil On Crutches

He threw down his sticks

And he danced for the stars

And he danced for the moon

Then he called me his brother and told me how

Things would be different from now on

He said "You be the orchestra

I'll call the tune"

"And I know we'll have fun

While our dreams all come true

See, I know your dreams,

'Cuz they're my dreams too

Remember that girl with the starlight in her eyes?"

And I saw her face through the Devil's eyes

And the Devil's lost intentions...

"Wake up" he told me

"Come on, let's move"

And he grabbed at my arm like he's ready to fly

So I told him to stop, but he wouldn't let go

I picked up his crutch and I lifted it high

Over and over I swung and I hit

Till the Devil - he cowered in pain

And when it was over

I turned to the heavens and cried

I said "Ay ay ay

Ay ay ay

Ay ay ay can see

That every time I strike a blow

The hurt rains down on me"

So ends the story

The story is done

But look for a sequel when spirits are free

'Cuz part of me's whittling a new pair of sticks

To prop up the Devil On Crutches in me

The Devil On Crutches

This is one of those songs where a great title resonated with me musically - and then I

simply had to follow it wherever it lead.

​

It was a long journey that rendered a long song. But I think it was worth the trouble.

You'll have to decide for yourself.

To follow such a title wherever it leads is a scary proposition. You see, "the Devil", even if the Devil is, as some say, "not real, just an idea" - well, ideas can be powerful things.

​

The Devil is not to be trifled with, in or outside of song. And when on crutches, he (or she) can be oh so persuasive.

​

The Devil On Crutches

​

​

The Devil On Crutches hopped into the room

Called for a drink and he called for a song

I was a young boy, alone and naive

The tune was real catchy so I sang along

Over and over we lifted the glass

By the light of the stars and the moon

And after a while - The Devil on crutches,

He laughed

He said "Ay ay ay ay ay"

​

The Devil suggested that I would be wise

To choose a young lady and ask her to dance

Then he'd be my tutor and throw me my lines

One girl was so lovely

I jumped at the chance

Over and over we danced through the night

By the light of the stars and the moon

And when it was over the Devil on crutches,

He smiled

He said "Ay ay ay

Ay ay ay

Ay ay ay can see

For you there's a promising future

With me

​

The Devil invited me out on the town

Said he would lend me his powers to see

Up past the rooftops we flew through the night

The things that he showed me

You wouldn't believe.

People were cheating and people were thoughtless

And everywhere love was a lie

And after a while I turned to the Devil and sighed

I said "Ay ay ay

Ay ay ay

Ay ay ay can see

This world is no place for a good boy

Like me

​

The Devil On Crutches said "Ay ay ay ay"

He flexed his game leg and he told me "Relax

All of your problems are easily solved

If you find the courage to look at the facts

​

"Look at this world and the people within it

Lost in their pitiful lives

All is illusion and it will all pass away presently

How will you feel on your last dying day

If you've never had much fun?

Will you have regrets?

​

Part of me knew that the Devil was wrong

But part of me feared that the Devil was right

So thinking a devil on crutches would know

I asked where the the bad girls had got to tonight

​

The Devil On Crutches

He threw down his sticks

And he danced for the stars

And he danced for the moon

Then he called me his brother and told me how

Things would be different from now on

He said "You be the orchestra

I'll call the tune"

"And I know we'll have fun

While our dreams all come true

See, I know your dreams,