The Devil's Nine Questions / Riddles Wisely Expounded. Fretless Buckbee banjo.

Описание: The tuning is standard G tuning, but very, very low, around D. So dADF#A I think.

The banjo is made of Buckbee parts, and has some features of a Cubley. My fantasy narrative is that is built by Cubley in Chicago, after his factory burned down in 1883, but using Buckbee parts, because he'd lost his in the fire. It's a beautiful banjo whatever it is, and has a tone ring that looks a bit like a Morrison.

This is a wonderful old question and answer song, which I guess ought to be a duet. Dating back apparently to 1450! The devil challenges a young woman who has done something which means her soul belongs to him; if she can answer all his 9 questions, then her soul will belong to God once again, and she'll be saved. If she can't answer, then she'll be damned.

Lyrics:

Now you must answer my questions nine
Sing ninety-nine and ninety
For you aren't God’s, you are one of mine,
And who is the weaver’s bonny?

What is whiter than the milk?
Sing ninety-nine and ninety
And what is softer than the silk?
Are you the weaver’s bonny?

Snow is whiter than the milk
Sing ninety-nine and ninety
And skin is softer than the silk
And I am the weaver’s bonny.

What is higher than a tree?
Sing ninety-nine and ninety
And what is deeper than the sea?
Are you the weaver’s bonny?

Heaven is higher than a tree
Sing ninety-nine and ninety
And hell is deeper than the sea.
And I am the weaver’s bonny.

What is louder than a horn?
Sing ninety-nine and ninety
And what is sharper than a thorn?
And who is the weaver’s bonny?

Thunder is louder than a horn
Sing ninety-nine and ninety
And death is sharper than a thorn.
I am the weaver’s bonny.

What is more innocent than a lamb?
Sing ninety-nine and ninety
And what is meaner than mankind?
And who is the weaver’s bonny?

A babe’s more innocent than a lamb
Sing ninety-nine and ninety
And she-devil is meaner than womankind.
And I am the weaver’s bonny.

A babe’s more innocent than a lamb
Sing ninety-nine and ninety
And the devil is meaner than mankind.
And I am the weaver’s bonny.

Now you’ve answered my questions nine.
Sing ninety-nine and ninety
So you are God’s, you aren't one of mine
And you are the weaver’s bonny.