Me and the Devil
Gil Scott-Heron Lyrics
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When you knocked upon my door
Early this morning
When you knocked upon my door
And I say: hello satan
I believe, it's time to go
Me and the devil
Walking side by sideMe and the devil
Walking side by side
And I'm gonna see my woman
'til I get satisfied
See see, you don't see why
Like you'a dog me 'round
Say, I don't see why
People dawging me around
It must be that old evil spirit
That spirit drop me down in your ground
You may bury my body
Down by the highway side
You may bury my body
Down by the highway side
So my old evil spirit
Can greyhound bus that ride
The lyrics to Gil Scott-Heron's "Me and the Devil" depict a conversation between the singer and Satan. The song opens with the singer acknowledging Satan's presence, saying "hello Satan, I believe it's time to go," implying that the singer has made a deal with the devil. The chorus ("me and the devil walking side by side, and I'm gonna see my woman til I get satisfied") suggests that the singer has entangled himself in a dangerous agreement that allows him to pursue his physical pleasures so long as he remains in the devil's company.
The next verse suggests that the singer is facing persecution, with the lyrics "see see, you don't see why, like you dog me round, say, I don't see why people dawging me round, it must be that old evil spirit that spirit drop me down in your ground." These lyrics imply that the singer has been targeted by others, possibly due to his alleged dealings with the devil. The song ends with the singer conceding that he will inevitably face a bleak end ("you may bury my body down by the highway side, so my old evil spirit can greyhound bus that ride").
Line by Line Meaning
Early this morning
At the beginning of a new day, possibly a time of reflection or decision-making
When you knocked upon my door
When I was confronted with a challenge or a person seeking entry into my life
And I say: hello satan
I acknowledge my darker impulses or negative aspects of my personality
I believe, it's time to go
I have recognized that it's time to leave behind those negative aspects and move forward
Me and the devil
Me and those negative aspects of myself
Walking side by side
They are a constant presence in my life and accompany me everywhere
And I'm gonna see my woman
I am driven by my desires, possibly for a particular person or goal
'til I get satisfied
Until I am fulfilled or content in some way
See see, you don't see why
You don't understand or empathize with my situation
Like you'a dog me 'round
Like you are treating me poorly or unfairly
Say, I don't see why
I also don't understand why I am being treated this way
People dawging me around
People mistreating me or causing me difficulties
It must be that old evil spirit
Blaming negative actions on some external, demonic force
That spirit drop me down in your ground
That force contributed to my downfall or negative circumstances
You may bury my body
In death, my physical body can be disposed of, but my spirit lives on
Down by the highway side
In a common, unremarkable place
So my old evil spirit
My negative tendencies or vices
Can greyhound bus that ride
Can continue on, traveling and influencing my life in various ways
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ROBERT JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ΑΝΤΙ-ρ9τ
Early this morning
When you knocked upon my door
Early this morning
When you knocked upon my door
And I say: hello Satan
I believe, it's time to go
Me and the Devil
Walking side by side
Me and the Devil
Walking side by side
And I'm gonna see my woman
'Til I get satisfied
See See, you don't see why
Like you'a dog me 'round
Say, I don't see why
People dawging me around
It must be that old evil spirit
That spirit drop me down in your ground
You may bury my body
Down by the highway side
You may bury my body
Down by the highway side
So my old evil spirit
Can greyhound bus that ride
[Outro]
Standing in the ruins of another black mans life
Or flying through the valley
Separating day and night
I am am Death
Cried the vulture
For the people of the light
Caron brought his raft
From the sea that sails on souls
And I saw the scavenger departing
Taking warm hearts to the cold
He knew the ghetto was a haven
For the meanest creature ever known
In a wilderness of heart break
In a desert of despair
Evil's clarion of justice
Shrieks a cry of naked terror
Taking babies from their mamas
Leaving grief beyond compare
So if you see the vulture coming
Flying circles in your mind
Remember their is no escaping
For he will follow close behind
Only promise me a battle
A battle
For your soul and mind
And mine
And mine
@whatcouldbeupdog
Oh, Vic. You’re in it now.
@Slay-q9d
😂😂😂😂
@Kaa864
Damnnnn
@Slay-q9d
@@Kaa864 fr
@Hadouken4
lfgggggggg
@zee4zbra
YES
@jaredsimpson4904
This is a Masterpiece
@kas6017
2023 and still listening to this master piece
@cjbrown4898
The whole album is amazing. GSH poured so much of his being into it.
@KiLO5000WATTS
I took it a step further.. here in 2024 now. I’ve enjoyed this song for years.