Fiddlin Red Seidman: Music

• MP3 play whole song, lo-fi (modem)

I remember when I asked Red if this song was based on a true story he answered, "Well, my grandfather played the fiddle, and I am alot like he was."
I knew his grandfather had given him the fiddle, but when I asked him if he had given it to him, "a week to the day before he died" Red's answer was, "No, I was using my artistic license"... okay, sounded good to me. What I can say is, when Red was alive, he very often would stay and play all night for a little more tequila, a little more Heineken or a little more moonshine-but I think whiskey is just easier to put in a song;) A little more artistic license:)

LYRICS

They say old Billie is the best fiddle player
In the state of Louisiana.
He plays all the parties with a dog house bass,
A guitar and piano

He played every tune that I'd ever heard
But he played 'em his own way,
And just when you'd think he was through pickin'
He'd turn to the people and say

CHORUS
Rosin up a bow and pass it my way,
I pick up my fiddle and play it all day.
Never can tell, I might stay,
If you give me a little more whiskey.

He played an old fiddle with cat gut strings
An one old fishin' line.
He'd pick up his bow and drag it across,
and make that old box whine.

He drank like a fish and had a good time
and put on a hell of a show.
He loved the women and he loved the whiskey
And he taught me all that I know.

He'd say:
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I knew he led a good life by the twinkle in his eyes,
I knew that I could be like him, if I tried.

A week to the day before he died,
He handed me that fiddle.
He said, “Son this lady's like all the rest,
She can be a life long riddle”.


In every swamp near Ponchartrain,
From Shreveport to Monroe
Grandpa's memory and his fiddle are here
With me everywhere I go.

I say:
CHORUS

CHORUS