Here's the version of the 'Farmer's Cursed Wife' that appeared in Harry Smith's anthology. Bill and Belle Reed were probably from Virginia or Kentucky. Belle Reed is not to be confused with Ola Belle Reed. There have been numerous recordings of this. A relatively recent recording, which substantially follows the Reed version, can be found on Spider John Koerner's 'Raised by Humans' Red House RHR CD 44.
OLD LADY AND THE DEVIL
(Traditional)
There was an old man lived at the foot of the hill
If he ain't moved away, he's a-livin' there still
Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
He hitched up his horse and went out to plough
How he got around, we never knew how
Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
Old devil come to him in the field one day
Sayin', 'One of your family I'm gonna take away'
Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
Take her on, take her on with the joy of my heart
I hope by golly you'll never part
Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
Old devil got her all up on his back
He looked like a pedlar with a hump on his back
Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
Old devil got to the forks of the road
He said, 'Old lady, you're a hell of a load'
Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
Old devil got to the gates of hell
Said, 'Punch (?) the fire up, we'll scorch her well'
Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
Out come a little devil a-draggin' a chain
She picked up a hatchet and split out his brains
Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
Out come a little devil a-skatin' on a wall
Sayin, 'Take her back, daddy, she's a-murderin' us all'
Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
Little devil was a-peepin' out the crack
Sayin', 'Take her home, daddy, don't you bring her back
Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
The old man was a-peepin' out the crack
He see'd they old devil come wagonin' her back
Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
The old man lay sick in the bed
She up with a butter stick and rattled his head
Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
The old lady went whistlin' over the hill
Sayin', 'The devil won't have you and I don't know who will'
Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
Now you see what a woman can do
She can outdo the devil and the old man too
Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
The old lady went whistlin' over the hill
Sayin', 'The devil won't have you and I don't know who will
Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
The old man was a-peepin' out the crack
He see'd they old devil come wagonin' her back
Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
The old man lay sick in the bed
She up with a butter stick and rattled his head
Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
Now you see what a woman can do
She can outdo the devil and the old man too
Singin' fa diddle-a, diddle-a, fa diddle-a, diddle-a day
Source: transcription of 'Old Lady and the Devil' recorded by Bill and Belle Reed on 17 October 1928 in Johnson City, Tennessee. Reissued on Various Artists 'Anthology of American Folk Music Vol I: Ballads' Smithsonian/Folkways SFW 40090.
--Stewie.
Bill and Belle Reed recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN8ZHk4wYwg