tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324785595114192552.post1198157513690242898..comments2023-09-27T14:42:39.279-04:00Comments on Oliver di Place: Spuyten Duyvil - In Spite of the DevilDariushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256856556935958361noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324785595114192552.post-22615500173477083042010-08-02T00:28:13.109-04:002010-08-02T00:28:13.109-04:00In Spite of the Devil is the title of the album, o...In Spite of the Devil is the title of the album, only shown on the spine of the album cover. So that's how I chose the translation I used. I have also seen it translated as "spitting devil".Dariushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11256856556935958361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324785595114192552.post-9566740147725947982010-07-29T14:00:23.181-04:002010-07-29T14:00:23.181-04:00Actually the translation is often argued to be eit...Actually the translation is often argued to be either "To spite the devil", "spinning devil" or "In spite of the devil".<br /><br />Many believe the spinning devil as there is a whirlpool at the center of the river that's well known. Personally I like the resonance of "to spite the devil" as this is a perfect bluesman's attitude.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324785595114192552.post-7077879788410186062010-07-29T09:37:11.606-04:002010-07-29T09:37:11.606-04:00I enjoy your blog - thanks for the work it takes.
...I enjoy your blog - thanks for the work it takes.<br /><br />Re Spuyten Duyvil - The very northern tip of Manhattan Island, where the Harlem River flows into the Hudson is called Spuyten Duyvil. Growing up nearby, many years ago, I remember learning in school that the name means "In spite of the Devil." There was an old Dutch story, that I've since forgotten, explaining the name involving the devilish current that can occur there, and a hero on a desperate mission of some sort who vowed to swim to the other side in spite of the Devil. This matches up to the song. Tarrytown and Tappen are both due north of Manhattan and the shortest route would be to cross from Manhattan to the Bronx across Spuyten Duyvil. Nowdays, the Henry Hudson Bridge spans the river at that location.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com