The Dollar and the Devil

I was going through some old stuff over the weekend, and found this old song in a 1933 book by Frank and Jim McCravy - another brother duet. They were from South Carolina and recorded during the 20s and 30s. Graeme and I learned some McCravy Brothers songs at Carrowdore Sunday School in the 1970s and 1980s - so they had quite an impact.

The song was originally called "Two Rulers [The Dollar and the Devil]", and was written by James Larkin Pearson in 1911. It was first recorded by a Henry Whitter in 1924 - here's a link to his version.


IN THIS WORLD of frill and fashion where the churches are so fine
And the trademark of religion is the classic dollar sign
There's a rule that never faileth and you'll always find it true
Where the dollar rules the pulpit there the Devil rules the pew

Chorus:
There may be a lot of singing and an awful lot of pray'r
And the sermon may be answered by an Amen here and there
But as sure as I'm a-talkin' and your taxes will come due
Where the dollar rules the pulpit there the Devil rules the pew

When the money gets to talking and the Master's voice is still
And the preacher swaps his sermon for a twenty dollar bill
That's the time old Mister Satan gets the churches in a stew
Where the dollar rules the pulpit there the Devil rules the pew

When religion goes a-begging and the Bible is forgot
And the preacher preaches nothing but a scientific rot
Then the faithful old believers they are getting mighty few
Where the dollar rules the pulpit there the Devil rules the pew

© 1932 Southern Music Publishing co. Inc