Also impressive is Krauss's unwavering commitment to being an independent-label artist who has succeeded far beyond the scope of many major-label artists. She has circulated freely within pop, mainstream country and roots music circles, as a solo artist and with her long-time band Union Station, creating impeccably produced records that appeal to an equally wide-ranging and inquisitive audience. Krauss has continued doing things the old-fashioned way: following her heart and whatever path the music takes her on.
Sawing On The Strings
Alison Krauss Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Way back in the hills
There used to live a mountianeer
They called him Fiddlin' Will
He could play most anything
And some say he could sing
But the one thing that he liked to do best
Was sawing on the strings..
So get out the fiddle
And rosin up the bow
Look at ol' Will a pattin' his toe
we'll make music til the rafters ring
All that pickin' and a sawin on the string.
When the neighbors had a shindig
And they all had viddles to eat
We'd always have to wait on Will
To make the frolic complete
When he comes down from the mountain
All the gals began to sway
Sometimes he'd pick that ol' 5 string
Until the break of day.
So tune up the 5 string
Tighten up the hyde
Tell all the hill folks to get inside
All them pickin' and a sawing on the string.
So tune up the 5 string
Tighten up the hyde
Tell all the hill folks to get inside
All them pickin' and a sawing on the string...
The song "Sawing On The Strings" by Alison Krauss is an upbeat and cheerful tribute to a mountain fiddler named Fiddlin' Will, who was known for his skill on the strings. Through the lyrics, we learn about the lively mountain shindigs that would take place, where Fiddlin' Will would be the life of the party with his fiddle playing. The song starts off with a guitar picking and foot tapping rhythm that sets the tone for the traditional and rustic feel of the song.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of Fiddlin' Will and his love for playing the fiddle. He was a master of his craft and could play most anything, but his favorite thing to do was to "saw on the strings." This phrase refers to a specific style of playing the fiddle, where the fiddle bow is sawed rapidly back and forth across strings, creating a fast and exciting sound. The lyrics also mention the waiting the neighbors would do for Will to start playing to complete the shindig. Will seemed to have a mesmerizing hold on people as once he started playing the fiddle, the partygoers would get moving and swaying to the music, all night until the break of day.
Overall, "Sawing On The Strings" is a cheerful and upbeat song that celebrates the joy of music and the magic of traditional Appalachian fiddling. The lyrics are light-hearted and catchy, with toe-tapping rhythms, and an old-time feel that transports listeners back to a time when music was often the only form of entertainment in the mountains of Appalachia.
Line by Line Meaning
Way back in the mountains
In the past, way up in the mountains
Way back in the hills
In the past, way deep in the hills
There used to live a mountianeer
Living there was a mountaineer in the past
They called him Fiddlin' Will
His name was Fiddlin' Will
He could play most anything
He had the skill to play most musical instruments
And some say he could sing
There are those who believe he had a good singing voice
But the one thing that he liked to do best
His favourite thing to do was
Was sawing on the strings..
Playing his fiddle intensely
So get out the fiddle
Take the fiddle out of its case
And rosin up the bow
Rub some resin on the bow's hair to produce friction
Look at ol' Will a pattin' his toe
Observe Fiddlin' Will tapping his foot in time
we'll make music til the rafters ring
We'll make music so loud that the rafters will vibrate
All that pickin' and a sawin on the string.
All that playing and fiddling on the strings
When the neighbors had a shindig
Whenever his neighbours held a social gathering
And they all had viddles to eat
And they all brought their fiddles
We'd always have to wait on Will
We always had to wait for Fiddlin’ Will
To make the frolic complete
To provide the party's musical entertainment
When he comes down from the mountain
When he arrives from the highland
All the gals began to sway
All the girls began to move their hips to the beat
Sometimes he'd pick that ol' 5 string
Sometimes he'd play his old 5 string banjo
Until the break of day.
Until sunrise.
So tune up the 5 string
Prepare the 5 string banjo
Tighten up the hyde
Stretch the animal hide to increase its tension
Tell all the hill folks to get inside
Inform all the mountain-dwellers to come indoors
All them pickin' and a sawing on the string.
All that playing and fiddling on the strings
So tune up the 5 string
Prepare the 5 string banjo
Tighten up the hyde
Stretch the animal hide to increase its tension
Tell all the hill folks to get inside
Inform all the mountain-dwellers to come indoors
All them pickin' and a sawing on the string...
All that playing and fiddling on the strings
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Raymond Eaton
Tony is one of the nicest, most considerate people you will ever meet. Sure wish he was out there playing again. I asked him at a show years ago if I could look at his guitar. He handed it to me and said he was going to the restroom. He turned around as he was walking away and said "If you let anything happen to my guitar I'm gonna kick your ass"". I was a complete stranger to him. What a guy to let someone he doesn't even know play that old Martin. A person that trusts like that is a very trustworthy person in their own right. He is a good guy.
John Price
That’s awesome 😂
fendertele123
Not Deceived so jealous wow
IommiFan70
I love everybodys smiles from ear to ear when Tony takes his break.
Chris McDonell
What a heavy hitting bluegrass band, pure class and professionalism
Jsqrbales
I can watch this video over and over again and be just as amazed every time. It is so gorgeously executed, each part so clean and pure - the vocal timing and accuracy is as tight as it gets... WOW!! Too bad the whole world doesn't love this stuff, it'd be a lot happier place.
OrphanAnnieTrNb90
When Alison says, "Ton-E," she sounds exactly like Tony's mom, Dorothy "lovely" Louise Rice. I used to talk with her a lot, but she's in a nursing home in North Carolina. Prayers going up for her as well as the Rice family. She asked me to never give up praying for her buys, especially Tony. A family picture she sent is posted on my wall as a reminded. Good people!
DJ Johnson
What a VOICE...clarity and expression is beyond description. Quality musicians doing what we should all do...ENJOY this music and talented individuals.
mosrite60
the twin fiddlers really are awesome. great tune by the b/g musicians.Rice well what can you say. One of the great flat-top pickers ever. Not recognized as he should be IMO
Brad sparks
Its chemical how everyone smiles when tony took his break! I did too!