Their music bridged the gaps between the socially and spiritually conscious folk music of Bob Dylan, the studio trickery of The Beach Boys, and the sardonic rock of The Beatles. Some of their trademark songs include pop versions of Bob Dylan's Mr. Tambourine Man and Pete Seeger’s Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season), and the originals I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better, and Eight Miles High. Throughout their career they helped forge such subgenres as folk rock, raga rock, psychedelic rock, jangle pop, and – on their 1968 classic Sweetheart of the Rodeo – country rock inviting Gram Parsons on rhythm guitar.
The original and most successful lineup consisted of Chris Hillman, David Crosby, Michael Clarke, Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark. After several line-up changes (with lead singer/guitarist McGuinn as the only consistent member), they broke up in 1973.
In 1991 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and several band members launched successful solo careers after leaving the group. The most successful was David Crosby who was inducted again for his work with Crosby, Stills & Nash. Other than The Beatles, the only artist with all members inducted twice are, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
Fiddler a Dram
The Byrds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here come John, big boots on
I got goin', Jenny come along
Here come Johnny with his big boots on
I got goin', Jenny come along
Pretty little girl with a red dress on
She put it on, I put it on
Come on people give the fiddler a dram
Come on people give the fiddler a dram
Come on people give the fiddler a dram
Come on and give the fiddler a dram
I got a dog
Sitting on a fence
And I haven't seen the damn thing since
Worked all day with a bottle in my hand
Come on and give the fiddler a dram
Come on people give the fiddler a dram
Come on give the fiddler a dram
Come on people give the fiddler a dram
Come on and give the fiddler a dram
I got goin', Jenny come along
Twenty long years since I've been gone
I got goin', Jenny come along
Here come Johnny with his big boots on
Fiddler a dram, Fiddler a dram
Come on give the fiddler a dram
Fiddler a dram, Fiddler a dram
Come on give the fiddler a dram
The lyrics to The Byrd's song Fiddler a Dram describes a group of people coming together to give the fiddler a drink of whiskey. The song starts with the singer, possibly a musician, getting ready to play his music, and Jenny, a pretty little girl with a red dress on, accompanies him. Then, Johnny, a man with big boots on, joins them. The singer talks about his dog sitting on a fence and also mentions that he's been working all day with a bottle in his hand.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "come on people give the fiddler a dram" four times, emphasizing the importance of a drink for the fiddler. A dram is a small quantity of whiskey, and in this context, it is a symbol of appreciation and payment for the music played by the fiddler. Towards the end of the song, the singer talks about being gone for twenty long years and then repeats the chorus, urging people to give the fiddler a drink.
Overall, the lyrics of the song convey a sense of community, celebration, and appreciation for music. The fiddler is an essential part of the group, and his presence is enjoyed by everyone, prompting them to come together and give him a dram.
Line by Line Meaning
I got goin', Jenny come along
I started moving and Jenny joined me
Here come John, big boots on
John arrived wearing his big boots
Here come Johnny with his big boots on
Johnny arrived wearing his big boots
Pretty little girl with a red dress on
Jenny is a beautiful girl with a red dress
She put it on, I put it on
Jenny and I both put on the same clothing
Come on people give the fiddler a dram
Let's give the fiddler a drink
Come on and give the fiddler a dram
Let's give the fiddler a drink
I got a dog
Sitting on a fence
And I haven't seen the damn thing since
Worked all day with a bottle in my hand
I have a dog sitting on a fence that I haven't seen since I worked all day holding a bottle
Twenty long years since I've been gone
I have been away for the past twenty years
Fiddler a dram, Fiddler a dram
Come on give the fiddler a dram
Let's give the fiddler a drink
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, LOWELL LEVINGER ON BEHALF OF DOGFISH MUSIC
Written by: LOWELL LEVINGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MattHatter
So wish they had put this on the album. Sounds fantastic even in it's demo state.
Muni Math by Peter Felton
Fortunately, it became released as a bonus track on the remastered CD edition of the album in 1997. Better late than never in this case!
hbg423
Love it
Dylan Vega
Great experiment!!! i love this song <3
Danny Consenstein
Oooi hi