Procol Harum - The Devil Came From Kansas (1969)

Mistakenly thinking it meant “beyond these things,” they got their name when their manager got the idea from the name of his friend’s Burmese cat. Their best known song was their 1967 hit single “A Whiter Shade of Pale,” released the same year the band was formed. A pioneer in the development of progressive rock, they took a big downward spiral in 1975, but didn't officially break up until 1977.

This song comes from their 1969 album A Salty Dog. The entire album was conceptualized around a nautical theme and this song in particular was said to be inspired by a Randy Newman song entitled “The Senator from Kansas”.



Procol Harum - The Devil Came From Kansas (1969)

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Lyrics:

The devil came from Kansas; where he went to, I can't say
Though I teach, I'm not a preacher and I aim to stay that way
There's a monkey riding on my back; been there for some time
He says he knows me very well but he's no friend of mine

I am not a humble pilgrim
There's no need to scrape and squeeze
And don't beg for silver paper
When I'm trying to sell you cheese

The devil came from Kansas; where he went to, I can't say
If you really are my brother, then you'd better start to pray
For the sins of those departed and the ones about to go
There's a dark cloud just above us; don't tell me 'cause I know

I am not a humble pilgrim
There's no need to scrape and squeeze
And don't beg for silver paper
When I'm trying to sell you cheese

No, I never came from Kansas; don't forget to thank the cook
Which reminds me of my duty; I was lost and now I look
For the turning and the signpost and the road which takes you down
To that pool inside the forest in whose waters I shall drown

I am not a humble pilgrim
There's no need to scrape and squeeze
And don't beg for silver paper
When I'm trying to sell you cheese