Mr. Devil

Tom Booth

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*****
(Based on 2 votes)

Reviews | You Rate It | Lyrics | Artist Reflection

Reviews

*****
Anonymous from Raleigh, NC on November 4, 2004
When I hear this song, it gets in my head and I can't stop singing it, which is a good thing, because it is very upbeat and makes me feel great.

*****
Amanda from Arizona on October 9, 2004
It is so much fun, and that Devil needs to be out of my sight.

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Lyrics

You better stop doin' what you're doin';
stop doin' what you're doin' to me! (Mr. Devil, Mr. Devil)
You better stop doin' what you're doin',
stop doin' what you're doin' to me!
You better stop doin' what you're doin'
'cause the Lord is gonna rescue me!

You better stop sayin' what your sayin',
stop sayin' what you're sayin' to me!
You better stop sayin' what you're sayin'
stop sayin' what you're sayin' to me!
You better stop sayin' what you're sayin'
'cause the Lord, he's gonna rescue me!

Artist Reflection

Truth be told, I was hesitant when I considered recording "Mr. Devil" for the Unravel CD. I had composed the song as a young kid, probably 17 or 18 years old. I didn't want to give evil, darkness or the devil any "air time" on my recording. But, in fact, the song is more about the Lord's goodness and promises, versus a focus on "ole horny head."

The lyric of the song says, "You better stop what you're doin', you better stop doin' what you're doin' to me, Mr. Devil... cuz' the Lord is gonna rescue me!" It should probably say: You might as well stop, Evil One, because the Lord is going to rescue me, so why bother? But now we are getting deep into the mystery of evil and sin. And there are no simple answers in that arena of thought, except that Jesus is Lord, and he has conquered sin and death!

But that begs another question: Why? Why all the misery? Why all of the suffering? And why do you and I, as St. Paul wrote, "Do what we don't want to do, and what we want to do, we do not do"?

Hmmm . . . The "concupiscence of sin" is the long and theological answer. But for the brevity of this reflection, let's simply say: You and I need God! We are lost without being rooted in faith, hope and love. How do we do that?

Again we look to St. Paul: "Pray always!" When we turn to God, when we ask forgiveness, when we pray for mercy — and when we offer the same to others — our hearts begin to change. Sin, temptation and the choice between good and evil will always be before us. Let us choose life! Let us choose love and let us always choose Christ!

The Lord WILL rescue us from fear and doubt. And when he does — even when we find ourselves in the clutches of fear, doubt and the pain of sin — we can sing and hope and pray! God will come to our aid and he will not abandon us!

"Mr. Devil" is a simple 12-bar blues song about redemption and hope, sung into the teeth and snarl of the Evil One: "God is gonna rescue me, Mr. Devil" And that is reason enough to pick up a guitar and sing unto the Lord! Let every thing that has breath give praise and witness to God — even the blues! Hallelujah!

- Tom Booth