Fiddle About
The Who Lyrics
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I'm glad you won't see or hear me
As I fiddle about
Fiddle about
Fiddle about!
Your mother left me here to mind you
Now I'm doing what I want to
Fiddling about
Fiddling about
Fiddle about!
Down with the bedclothes
Up with your nightshirt!
Fiddle about
Fiddle about
Fiddle about!
Fiddle about
Fiddle about
Fiddle about!
You won't shout as I fiddle about
Fiddle about
Fiddle about
Fiddle about!
Fiddle about
Fiddle about
Fiddle about!
Fiddle about
Fiddle about
Fiddle about!
Fiddle about
Fiddle about
Fiddle about!
Fiddle, fiddle, fiddle
Fiddle, fiddle, fiddle
Fiddle, fiddle, fiddle
Fiddle, fiddle, fiddle
Fiddle
The lyrics to The Who's song "Fiddle About" present a disturbing and uncomfortable scenario where Uncle Ernie, the singer, is left to take care of a young child (presumably his nephew) and uses the opportunity to engage in inappropriate behavior. The repetition of the phrase "fiddle about" creates a sense of inevitable repetition, as though this is something that Uncle Ernie does regularly. The line "I'm glad you won't see or hear me" shows that he knows what he is doing is wrong and that he is taking advantage of the child's vulnerability.
The line "Down with the bedclothes, up with your nightshirt" leaves little doubt as to what Uncle Ernie is doing, and the lack of any kind of moral outrage or intervention from the child's mother is all the more disturbing. There is a sense of helplessness and powerlessness in the repetition of the phrase "Fiddle about" that underscores the child's vulnerability and the sense of violation. In many ways, the tone and subject matter of the song parallel the themes that are explored in the rock opera "Tommy," which deals with similar issues of victimization and abuse.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm your wicked Uncle Ernie
I am the manipulative and unsavory figure in your life
I'm glad you won't see or hear me
I am hidden and operating behind the scenes, taking advantage of my position
As I fiddle about
I am engaging in illicit activity or behavior
Fiddle about
Repeating previous statement
Your mother left me here to mind you
I am supposed to be responsible for your well-being
Now I'm doing what I want to
I am selfishly using my authority to fulfill my own desires
Fiddling about
Engaging in questionable or harmful behavior
Fiddling about
Repeating previous statement
Down with the bedclothes
I am crossing physical boundaries with you
Up with your nightshirt!
I am engaging in sexual misconduct or abuse
Fiddle about
Engaging in salacious behavior
Fiddle about
Repeating previous statement
You won't shout as I fiddle about
You are either too young or too afraid to speak out against me
Fiddle about
Engaging in nefarious activities
Fiddle about
Repeating previous statement
Fiddle about
Continuing to engage in unscrupulous behavior
Fiddle about
Repeating previous statement
Fiddle, fiddle, fiddle
Repeatedly committing acts of depravity
Fiddle, fiddle, fiddle
Continuing to engage in salacious and immoral behavior
Fiddle, fiddle, fiddle
Encouraging or reveling in lascivious acts
Fiddle, fiddle, fiddle
Repeatedly engaging in reprehensible conduct
Fiddle
Repeating previous statement
Lyrics © GOWMONK, INC.
Written by: JOHN ENTWISTLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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