Fiddlin
Chet Atkins Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Where you been Johnny?
What you been doin'?

I'm just fiddlin' round

I played this guitar till my folks were sick of it
They won't never get well as long as you're pickin' it
I played this old harp 'til my mouth looka funny
It aint no fiddle but it sure makes more money





You'll live to a hundred though, fiddlin' 'round

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Chet Atkins's song Fiddlin' are short but impactful. The song is a conversation between two people, where one person asks the other, "Where you been Johnny? What you been doin'?" The other person's response is, "I'm just fiddlin' round," indicating that they've been playing music, possibly a fiddle.


The lyrics go on to describe how the person has been playing their guitar until their folks were sick of it, implying that they've been playing the instrument for a long time. The second verse mentions that they've also played an old harp until their mouth looks funny, indicating that they've been playing other instruments as well. The last line is interesting as it suggests that despite fiddling around, the person will live a long life.


Overall, these lyrics convey the idea of someone who is passionate about playing music and has been playing various instruments for a long time. The phrase "fiddlin' round" implies that they play for enjoyment and not necessarily for any specific purpose, but the passion for music will keep them going in life.


Line by Line Meaning

Where you been Johnny?
Asking Johnny about his recent activities and whereabouts


What you been doin'?
Seeking information on Johnny's recent activities


I'm just fiddlin' round
Engaged in aimless activities with no specific goal or outcome in mind


I played this guitar till my folks were sick of it
Played the guitar incessantly until my parents were completely fed up with it


They won't never get well as long as you're pickin' it
They will remain unwell as long as you continue to play the guitar excessively


I played this old harp 'til my mouth looka funny
Played the harmonica so much that my mouth became distorted or disfigured


It aint no fiddle but it sure makes more money
Even though the harmonica is not a traditional fiddle instrument, it generates more income than it


You'll live to a hundred though, fiddlin' 'round
Even though fiddling may be aimless, you will still live long enough to reach 100 years old




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOHNNY GIMBLE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions