We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Arm Wrestling with the Devil

by Mark Melloan

/

lyrics

Verse 1:
I dreamed last night I was sitting
in the center of a crowded ring
filled with smoke,
Across the table sat a man,
red eyes between his wide-brimmed hat
and the collar of his coat,
He put his elbow down on the table,
saying, "You'll see what I'm able
to do to a man like you”

Chorus 1:
He shouted, "I'm a lot stronger,
and I've been at it longer,"
but somewhere I heard another voice
saying something I knew to be true,
“The devil's not won yet,
the battle's just begun, yeah,
so hold on, hold on, hold on,
you're gonna pin him down”

Verse 2:
With my right hand reaching out
to meet him in the clutches
of his dead-black fist, cold as ice,
I know I shivered at the cold,
but I swear I saw him shiver too
and shut his eyes,
Hands locked, arms shaking
in the clamor of the crowded ring
of gamblers gambling

Chorus 2:
He shouted, "I'm a lot stronger,
and I've been at it longer,"
but somewhere I heard another voice
saying something I knew to be true,
“The devil's not won yet,
the battle's just begun, yeah,
so hold on, hold on, hold on,
you're gonna pin him down”

Bridge:
We were pushing when the sun hung high,
We were pushing as it crossed the sky,
We were pushing till the full moon glowed,
We were pushing until I awoke,
I can still hear his voice
ringing in my ears

Chorus 3:
"I'm stronger,
and I've been at it longer,"
but somewhere I hear another voice
saying something I know to be true,
“The devil's not won yet,
the battle's just begun, yeah,
so hold on, hold on, hold on,
you're gonna pin him down,
hold on, hold on, hold on,
you're gonna pin him down,
hold on, hold on, hold on”

credits


Mark Melloan
vocal, acoustic guitars, percussion, producer

Tyler Cain
electric guitars

Byron House
bass guitar

Steve Bowman
drums

Jason Lehning
mixing engineer

David Mead
harmony vocal

Amy Anderson
cellos

David Henry
recording engineer

Kevin Sokolnicki
recording engineer

Bob Ludwig
mastering engineer

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Mark Melloan image

Mark Melloan Kentucky

Bridging folk and rock-pop, Melloan's recordings are known for rich musicianship, featuring artists like Kentucky Headhunter guitarist Greg Martin and newgrass-legend Bela Fleck. His vocal style was praised by pop singer-songwriter David Mead as “refreshingly free from affectation,” and NPR host Erika Brady labelled him “an artist with extreme potential.” ... more

contact / help

Contact Mark Melloan

Report this track or account

If you like Mark Melloan, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring Riley Pinkerton (aka The Rat Queen) from the theatrical NYC rockers, Castle Rat.
listen now