A Nickel for the Fiddler
Guy Clark Lyrics


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Chorus
Well it's a nickel for the fiddler. It's a nickel for his tune.
It's a nickel for the tambourine kind of afternoon.
And it's a high holiday on the 21st of June.
And it's country music in the park and everybody's ruined.

Instrumental break
Well it's fountains full of dogs and kids.
And it's freaky apple pie.
And it's the ones who came to play.
And the ones just passin' by.

And it's coats of many colors.
And it almost makes me cry.
Lord it's ice cream on a stick.
And it's somethin' you can buy.

Instrumental break

Well it's a fiddler from Kentucky,
Who swears he's 83.
And he's fiddled every contest
From here to cripple creek.

And it's old ones and it's yound ones.
And it's plain they half agreed
But it's country music in the park,
As far as they can see.





Instrumental break

Overall Meaning

In Guy Clark's song "A Nickel for the Fiddler," he describes a country music festival happening in a park on the 21st of June. The chorus repeats that it costs a nickel for the fiddler's tune, and it's a high holiday on this day. The festival has a relaxed atmosphere with dogs, kids, and people passing by, and it's freaky apple pie, and coats of many colors to wear. The music festival is for anyone who wants to come and play, whether they're old or young, and it's evident that everyone agrees that they're ruined by the end of the event.


The song's chorus at the beginning of the song represents the tradition and value of music in society, and how it is worth paying a small fee to enjoy. The festival happening on the 21st of June shows the importance of music as a part of culture and how it brings people together. Throughout the song, Guy Clark describes the carefree and joyful nature of the festival, and how everyone is just trying to have a good time, enjoy the music and each other's company.


Line by Line Meaning

Chorus
Celebrating a music festival with friends and family


Well it's a nickel for the fiddler. It's a nickel for his tune.
Show respect to the fiddler, who brings everyone the awesome tune


It's a nickel for the tambourine kind of afternoon.
Enjoy the tambourine music and alleviate oneself in this afternoon


And it's a high holiday on the 21st of June.
One of the biggest holidays of the year, June 21st marks a good occasion to celebrate life


And it's country music in the park and everybody's ruined.
Everyone indulged too much in country music and now they’re feeling wasted


Well it's fountains full of dogs and kids.
Children and dogs are attracted to running water fountains, they intermingle among themselves


And it's freaky apple pie.
Apple pie which contains unpredictable ingredients maybe a strange occurrence.


And it's the ones who came to play.
Enthusiastic people came to have fun


And the ones just passin' by.
Individuals passing by also cannot resist from stopping to have fun


And it's coats of many colors.
People wear different colored coats


And it almost makes me cry.
The emotional impact of the people's warm spirit almost brings a tear to my eye.


Lord it's ice cream on a stick.
Ice cream sold on a stick at the festival


And it's somethin' you can buy.
All the entertainment is available for purchase at the festival


Well it's a fiddler from Kentucky,
The fiddler who is playing at the festival hails from Kentucky


Who swears he's 83.
The fiddler is 83 years old and is proud of it.


And he's fiddled every contest
He has played the violin at every contest within the area


From here to cripple creek.
Even from here to the far-off Cripple Creek


And it's old ones and it's young ones.
People of all ages and generations are present at the festival


And it's plain they half agreed
They all have different tastes but still gathers for an amazing event


But it's country music in the park,
The music of choice is country, and it's played freely in the park


As far as they can see.
The music is playing to great lengths all over the festival




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GUY CLARK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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