The Little Devils

Song Meaning

Jean Ritchie's rendition of "The Little Devils" isn't just a folksy ditty; it's a sly commentary on gender dynamics and the unexpected power of female rage. At its surface, the song presents a seemingly simple narrative: a man gladly hands over his 'scolding wife' to the Devil, only to have her promptly rejected by Hell itself. But scratch beneath the surface, and you find a potent subversion of patriarchal expectations. The woman, far from being a victim, is portrayed as an indomitable force, too unruly even for the denizens of the underworld. Her 'scolding'—often a label imposed on women who dare to speak their minds—becomes a weapon, capable of dismantling the established order, be it earthly or infernal. The song's humor is a key element in its subversive power. The jaunty melody and repetitive chorus ('Sing, hi, a-rattle-ding-day') create a sense of playful irony, undercutting the potentially grim subject matter. The Devil's eagerness to be rid of the wife highlights the absurdity of male attempts to control or suppress female expression. He expects Hell to break her, but her spirit is too strong. The image of her 'hauling back her cudgel' to knock out the brains of the little devils is both comical and empowering. It suggests that female anger, when unleashed, can be a formidable force against any oppressive system. Ultimately, "The Little Devils" celebrates the resilience and uncontainable nature of the female spirit. The final verse, 'Oh, the women they are so much better than men / When they go to Hell, they get sent back again,' isn't just a flippant remark. It's a pointed assertion of female superiority, born not from inherent virtue, but from a refusal to be silenced or subdued. Even in the face of eternal damnation, this woman demands her 'baccer,' a final act of defiance that solidifies her status as an unmanageable, untamable force. The song's enduring appeal lies in its recognition of this power and its gleeful celebration of the women who wield it.