Does anyone know the missing word in this lyric?

[UKConfederate1993]

It comes from an 1861/1862 Southern song that was a parody of "John Anderson, My Jo John", the verse goes:

O, Johnny Bull, my Jo John! when Lincoln first began
To try his hand at war, John, you were a peaceful man;
But now your blood is up, John, and well the Yankees know,
You play the —— when you start, O, Johnny Bull, my Jo!

I have seen the lyrics in a publication from the time, and the missing word appears to be "d--l", I can't think what that is. The text isn't easy to make out.
Here's a screenshot of the publication:

Or, am I misunderstanding it? Is it actually a missing word, or is the lyric supposed to be like that? A contraction, perhaps?

 

[Copperhead-mi]

It comes from an 1861/1862 Southern song that was a parody of "John Anderson, My Jo John", the verse goes:

O, Johnny Bull, my Jo John! when Lincoln first began
To try his hand at war, John, you were a peaceful man;
But now your blood is up, John, and well the Yankees know,
You play the —— when you start, O, Johnny Bull, my Jo!

I have seen the lyrics in a publication from the time, and the missing word appears to be "d--l", I can't think what that is. The text isn't easy to make out.
Here's a screenshot of the publication:
View attachment 434812
Or, am I misunderstanding it? Is it actually a missing word, or is the lyric supposed to be like that? A contraction, perhaps?

devil?

 

[UKConfederate1993]

devil?

That makes sense, could be why they didn't print the full word. Though it does make the lyrics confusing.

 

[JimW]

That makes sense, could be why they didn't print the full word. Though it does make the lyrics confusing.

I don't think it's confusing, "Johnny Bull's" blood is up so he "plays the devil" in other words unleashes the worst savagery he can.

 

[UKConfederate1993]

I don't think it's confusing, "Johnny Bull's" blood is up so he "plays the devil" in other words unleashes the worst savagery he can.

Haven't heard that saying before, interesting.

 

[Covertjy]

I think you're right. The missing word must be "devil" and its deletion a product of the fear thereof, much like not putting the name of God in print. My best guess is the deletion was a sign of the times.