08-16-2002, 09:09 PM
Borrowed from <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.burningchurch.ca">www.burningchurch.ca</a><!-- w -->
the story behind Fiddler's green
Fiddler's Green was written after the death of Gord Downie's nephew. Although it has been covered by the Stereophonics, the song has never been performed live by the Tragically Hip.
There are a number of different variations of the Fiddler's Green folk tale, attributed to Irish, British and even American legend. The common theme in all of these myths is that of a place of rest and rejuvenation for the weary.
The following poem is of unknown origin, but it assumed to have been written in the 1800s and sung by soldiers of the 6th and 7th Cavalry.
Fiddlers' Green
Halfway down the trail to Hell
In a shady meadow green
Are the Souls of all dead Troopers camped
Near a good old-time canteen,
And this eternal resting place is
known as Fiddlers' Green
Marching past straight through to Hell
The Infantry are seen
Accompanied by the Engineers,
Artillery and Marines,
For none but the shades of Cavalrymen
Dismount at Fiddlers' Green
Though some go curving down the trail
To seek a warmer scene,
No Trooper ever gets to Hell
Ere he's emptied his canteen.
And so rides back to drink again
With friends at Fiddlers' Green
And so when man and horse go down
Beneath a sabre keen,
Or on roaring charge of fierce melee
You stop a bullet clean.
And the hostiles come to get your scalp
Just empty your canteen,
And put your pistol to your head
And go to Fiddlers' Green.
Fiddler's Green here is a place for soldiers killed in battle. According to this version of the myth, it is a resting place for warriors on their way to the "Eternal Halls of Celebration". As the legend goes, warriors who died honourably in combat stop here to rest and refresh themselves for the next part on their journey. They sit close to the cool water of the lake and eat the fruit from the trees surrounding Fiddler's Green. They chat with fellow men of honour, share stories of past heroism and relax, gathering their strength for the final part of their journey. When their strength is renewed, they set out to complete their journey to the Eternal Halls of Glory. Many warriors never get there. Soon after their departure from Fiddler's Green, they become tired, hungry and thirsty again. It is not long before they reverse course and return to Fiddler's Green.
The most common variation of the legend (and the one that makes the most sense in this case, given the nautical references made in the song) refers to a haven for fishermen lost at sea. Here is a sailor song, also called 'Fiddler's Green.'
As I went a walking one evening so rare
To view the still waters and taste the salt air
I heard an old fisherman singing this song
Sayin', "Take me away boys, my time is not long.
Chorus:
Wrap me up in me oil skins and blankets
No more on the docks I'll be seen
Just tell me old shipmates, I'm takin' a trip mates
And I'll see you someday on fiddler's green."
Now fiddler's green is a place I've heard tell
Where fishermen go if they don't go to hell
Where the weather is fair and the dolphins do play
And the cold coast of Greenland is far far away.
Chorus:
Where the weather is fair and there's never a gale
Where the fish jump on board with a swish of their tail
You lie at your leisure there's no work to do
While the skipper's below makin' tea for the crew.
Chorus:
I don't need a harp nor a halo not me
Just give me a breeze and a good rollin' sea
I'll play me old squeeze box as we sail along
And the wind in the riggin' will sing me this song.
Chorus:
According to this legend, in the afterlife, the fisherman should walk inland with an oar over his shoulder. When he comes to a pretty little village deep in the country and the people don't recognize what he is carrying, he has found Fiddlers Green.
the story behind Fiddler's green
Fiddler's Green was written after the death of Gord Downie's nephew. Although it has been covered by the Stereophonics, the song has never been performed live by the Tragically Hip.
There are a number of different variations of the Fiddler's Green folk tale, attributed to Irish, British and even American legend. The common theme in all of these myths is that of a place of rest and rejuvenation for the weary.
The following poem is of unknown origin, but it assumed to have been written in the 1800s and sung by soldiers of the 6th and 7th Cavalry.
Fiddlers' Green
Halfway down the trail to Hell
In a shady meadow green
Are the Souls of all dead Troopers camped
Near a good old-time canteen,
And this eternal resting place is
known as Fiddlers' Green
Marching past straight through to Hell
The Infantry are seen
Accompanied by the Engineers,
Artillery and Marines,
For none but the shades of Cavalrymen
Dismount at Fiddlers' Green
Though some go curving down the trail
To seek a warmer scene,
No Trooper ever gets to Hell
Ere he's emptied his canteen.
And so rides back to drink again
With friends at Fiddlers' Green
And so when man and horse go down
Beneath a sabre keen,
Or on roaring charge of fierce melee
You stop a bullet clean.
And the hostiles come to get your scalp
Just empty your canteen,
And put your pistol to your head
And go to Fiddlers' Green.
Fiddler's Green here is a place for soldiers killed in battle. According to this version of the myth, it is a resting place for warriors on their way to the "Eternal Halls of Celebration". As the legend goes, warriors who died honourably in combat stop here to rest and refresh themselves for the next part on their journey. They sit close to the cool water of the lake and eat the fruit from the trees surrounding Fiddler's Green. They chat with fellow men of honour, share stories of past heroism and relax, gathering their strength for the final part of their journey. When their strength is renewed, they set out to complete their journey to the Eternal Halls of Glory. Many warriors never get there. Soon after their departure from Fiddler's Green, they become tired, hungry and thirsty again. It is not long before they reverse course and return to Fiddler's Green.
The most common variation of the legend (and the one that makes the most sense in this case, given the nautical references made in the song) refers to a haven for fishermen lost at sea. Here is a sailor song, also called 'Fiddler's Green.'
As I went a walking one evening so rare
To view the still waters and taste the salt air
I heard an old fisherman singing this song
Sayin', "Take me away boys, my time is not long.
Chorus:
Wrap me up in me oil skins and blankets
No more on the docks I'll be seen
Just tell me old shipmates, I'm takin' a trip mates
And I'll see you someday on fiddler's green."
Now fiddler's green is a place I've heard tell
Where fishermen go if they don't go to hell
Where the weather is fair and the dolphins do play
And the cold coast of Greenland is far far away.
Chorus:
Where the weather is fair and there's never a gale
Where the fish jump on board with a swish of their tail
You lie at your leisure there's no work to do
While the skipper's below makin' tea for the crew.
Chorus:
I don't need a harp nor a halo not me
Just give me a breeze and a good rollin' sea
I'll play me old squeeze box as we sail along
And the wind in the riggin' will sing me this song.
Chorus:
According to this legend, in the afterlife, the fisherman should walk inland with an oar over his shoulder. When he comes to a pretty little village deep in the country and the people don't recognize what he is carrying, he has found Fiddlers Green.