The Fiddle and the Drum
Joni Mitchell
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And so once again My dear Johnny my dear friend And so once again you are fightin' us all And when I ask you why You raise your sticks and cry, and I fall Oh, my friend How did you come To trade the fiddle for the drum You say I have turned Like the enemies you've earned But I can remember All the good things you are And so I ask you please Can I help you find the peace and the star Oh, my friend What time is this To trade the handshake for the fist And so once again Oh, America my friend And so once again You are fighting us all And when we ask you why You raise your sticks and cry and we fall Oh, my friend How did you come To trade the fiddle for the drum You say we have turned Like the enemies you've earned But we can remember All the good things you are And so we ask you please Can we help you find the peace and the star Oh my friend We have all come To fear the beating of your drum
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Written by: Joni Mitchell
Lyrics © Crazy Crow Music / Siquomb Music Publishing, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Recorded Artist"The Fiddle and the Drum" is a song by Canadian songwriter and singer Joni Mitchell, who is known for songs that touch upon social and environmental themes.
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Album OriginThis song is from her second album, "Clouds," which was released in 1969. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Folk Performance.
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Unique StyleUnlike most popular songs, "The Fiddle and the Drum" does not have a conventional melody. Instead, it is performed a cappella, purely vocal with no instrumental accompaniment.
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Political CommentaryThe song is an anti-war anthem and is seen as a commentary on America's military involvement in Vietnam. It is written as a conversation between Mitchell ("the fiddle") and America ("the drum").
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The LyricsThe song uses the metaphor of the US as a dear friend who has traded the "fiddle" for the "drum", symbolizing a move from peace to war.
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Reinterpreted FormJoni later reinterpreted "The Fiddle and the Drum" as a ballet in collaboration with the Alberta Ballet Company in 2007.
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Cover VersionsOther artists who have covered "The Fiddle and the Drum" include A Perfect Circle, who included their version in a music album of cover songs called "Emotive".
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Non-Album SingleThough initially part of Mitchell's album "Clouds", "The Fiddle and the Drum" was also released as a non-album single in several countries.
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ImpactThe song’s stark message and unique delivery have made it a memorable critic of war, beloved by those in the peace movement.
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Video VersionA video version of the song was included in Joni Mitchell's 2003 album "Travelogue". The video shows images of war while the song plays.
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Citation
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"The Fiddle and the Drum Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/35470118/Joni+Mitchell/The+Fiddle+and+the+Drum>.
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