Springsteen introduced the song with a handwritten note: “Dear Friends and Fans, if you grew up in central or south Jersey, you grew up with the ‘Jersey Devil.’ Here’s a little musical Halloween treat. Have fun!”
A dark, playful retelling of the New Jersey legend of the Jersey Devil – a mythical creature said to haunt the Pine Barrens. The song blends folklore with gritty blues and a touch of theatrical mischief.
Artist: Bruce Springsteen
Genre: Blues / Rock / Halloween-themed.
Length: Approximately 3 minutes, 42 seconds.
Recorded between 2007–2008.
The style of the song is Gritty blues with distorted vocals (using a bullet mic effect), echoing the eerie tone of the legend.
Incorporates a verse from Gene Vincent’s 1958 song “Baby Blue”, which is why Springsteen shares writing credits with Robert Jones and Gene Vincent.
Initial release: October 31, 2008 (as a free digital download and video on Springsteen’s website).
Physical release: April 18, 2009, as the B-side to the single “What Love Can Do” for Record Store Day.
Label: Columbia Records.
Video directed by Thom Zimny, included on the deluxe DVD edition of Working on a Dream (2009).
Live performed is rare, only once, on Halloween night, October 31, 2012, in Rochester, NY.
With a howl and a growl, Springsteen conjures the Jersey Devil from the shadows – where folklore meets blues and Halloween gets its anthem.
A Night With the Jersey Devil
Hear me now!
I was born 13th child, ‘neath the 13th moon
Spit out hungry and born anew
Daddy drag me to the river tie me in rocks
Throw me in where it’s deep and wide
I go down, I don’t die
Hole in the river bottom, I crawl through
Come back kill six brothers and sisters, kill Papa too
Sway down Mama, sway down low
They gonna know me wherever I go
Into my bed with her kerosene my mama creep
Set my flesh to burning, whilst I sleep
I burn, burn, burn, till my soul burn black
Black rains fall, I come back, I come back
Get down Mama, get down low
They gonna know me wherever I go
16 witches cast 16 spells
Make me guitar outta skin and human skull
Sing you a song like the wind in the sandy loam
Bring you baby out’cha your happy home
Ram’s head, forked tail, clove hoof, love’s my trail
I sup on your body, sip on your blood like wine
Out world theirs, this world mine
So kiss me baby till it hurts
God lost in heaven, we lost on earth
Sway down Mama, sway down low
They gonna know me wherever I go (yeah)
Wherever I go (yeah), wherever I go
Well I got a brand new lover
I love her, yes I do
Yeah she’s my one and only and her name is Baby Blue
Now baby, baby, baby
Baby, baby, baby, blue
That’s right
Whoah, ha!
Well now baby, baby, baby
Baby, baby, blue