The Fool Who Outsang the Devil

The Fool Who Outsang the Devil
[Verse 1]
In a tavern dim where the lanterns swayed,
A stranger came with a smile well-played.
His boots were black and his coat was fine,
But his eyes burned red in the firelight shine.
He laid a purse of silver down,
And the room fell quiet all around.
“For a soul,” said he, “I’ve coin to spend—
Which singer here will dare contend?”
[Chorus]
Oh sing, you fool, sing loud and well,
Sing louder than the fires of hell.
For gold may shine and devils grin,
But songs are where the trick begins.
[Verse 2]
The brave men looked and the wise men frowned,
For trouble walked when that man came ‘round.
But one poor bard with a crooked hat
Just laughed and said, “I’ll wager that.”
“I’ll sing you songs till the night is through—
But you must answer each one too.
For every verse that I may spin,
You match it fair… or I win.”
[Chorus]
Oh sing, you fool, sing loud and well,
Sing louder than the fires of hell.
For gold may shine and devils grin,
But songs are where the trick begins.
[Verse 3]
The bard sang tales of kings and wars,
Of dragons slain and ancient shores.
The devil sang of power and flame,
Of fallen souls and endless shame.
They traded songs till the candles died,
Till dawn crept pale at the mountainside.
And still the bard sang verse on verse—
Of love, of grief, of blessing and curse.
[Bridge]
But devils sing of wrath and night,
Of broken oaths and stolen light.
They know of ruin, fear, and flame—
But not of joy, nor hope, nor shame.
And when the bard sang lullabies,
Of mothers’ songs and children’s cries,
The devil faltered, lost his breath—
For such soft things are worse than death.
[Final Chorus]
So sing, you fools, sing loud and well,
For songs can shame the lords of hell.
And wit may win where swords all fail—
Thus ends the devil’s losing tale.
[Outro]
The stranger fled at break of day,
His silver purse still where it lay.
And every bard in every hall
Now sings the fool who fooled them all.