Bridge Folk Navan - Fiddlers Green

The Bridge Folk from Navan Recorded in 1970. Michael Meegan, Gerry, Nuala and Bernie Meegan singing together.

Track 5

Fiddler's Green

As I roved by the dockside one evening so fair
To view the salt waters and take in the salt air
I heard an old fisherman singing a song
Oh, take me away boys me time is not long

Wrap me up in me oilskin and blankets
No more on the docks I'll be seen
Just tell me old shipmates, I'm taking a trip mates
And I'll see you someday on Fiddlers Green

Now Fiddler's Green is a place I've heard tell
Where the fishermen go if they don't go to hell
Where the weather is fair and the dolphins do play
And the cold coast of Greenland is far, far away

Wrap me up in me oilskin and blankets
No more on the docks I'll be seen
Just tell me old shipmates, I'm taking a trip mates
And I'll see you someday on Fiddlers Green

Now when you're in dock and the long trip is through
There's pubs and there's clubs and there's lassies there too
And the girls are all pretty and the beer is all free
And there's bottles of rum growing on every tree.

Wrap me up in me oilskin and blankets
No more on the docks I'll be seen
Just tell me old shipmates, I'm taking a trip mates
And I'll see you someday on Fiddlers Green

Where the skies are all clear and there's never a gail
And the fish jump on board with one swish on their tail
Where you lie at your leisure, there's no work to do
And the skipper's below making tea for the crew

Wrap me up in me oilskin and blankets
No more on the docks I'll be seen
Just tell me old shipmates, I'm taking a trip mates
And I'll see you someday on Fiddlers Green

Now I don't want a harp nor a halo, not me
Just give me a breeze and a good rolling sea
I'll play me old squeeze-box as we sail along
With the wind in the riggin to sing me a song

Wrap me up in me oilskin and blankets
No more on the docks I'll be seen
Just tell me old shipmates, I'm taking a trip mates
And I'll see you someday on Fiddlers Green


******

In this song a dying fisherman tries to imagine Fishermen's Heaven or Fiddler's Green.
The term Fiddler's Green originates from an old English legend that said that if a sailor had become tired of living he had to walk land inwards with an oar over his shoulder until he arrive in a nice and peaceful village. The villagers will ask him what he is carrying and they give him a stool outside the village inn where he can enjoy his pint and pipe while sharing memories with other sea dogs and watching the music and dancing maidens on Fiddler's Green.

The first citation of the phrase Fiddler's Green dates back to 1825, but it is believed that it has been in use for much longer. In the 1920's Fiddler's Green appeared in a poem associated with the 6th and 7th U.S. Cavalry in which many Irish served. Again it is believed that this poem, sometimes referred to as prayer, originates from an earlier date. It is unknown whether the Irish troopers brought the phrase to the Unites States or borrowed it from the already present English.
Whatever the case may be, referring to the success of this song, which was written by the Irish singer and songwriter John Connolly in the 1960's, and the countless pubs and inns bearing the name Fiddler's Green, the phrase caught on in Ireland.

A last maybe surprising note is that the phrase Fiddler's Green has no relation with violinists whatsoever, but is derived from fiddling or more specific a fid, which is a tool used to split ropes better known as marlinespike.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Bridge Folk Navan
• Michael Meegan
• Bridge Folk Musicians
• Gerry Meegan
• Nuala Meegan
• Bernie Meegan
• Fiddlers Green
• Bridge Folk