From LP cover of the first airing of "Uncle" - on "The Fields of November" (Flying Fish 004, 1974)

Uncle ~ Norman Blake

Well, he fiddled all his natural life
And he farmed a long, long time
His wife and kids passed away
And left him here behind

He came one day to live with us
When I was a child
Still he had to ramble 'round
The countryside awhile

(Chorus)
Money was scarce and times was bad
And groceries mighty plain
Was it to do over, boys,
I’d live them times again

(fiddle break)

He’d leave home with nothing much
He’d come back a-leadin' a cow
Lord, he always rode a horse or mule
He'd traded for somehow

It learns a boy to have someone
To show him things sometimes
To set him straight on down the road
And help to ease his mind

(Chorus)
(fiddle break)

Well you know I road behind him there
Maybe three or four miles
Up that creek and across that bridge
He fiddled all the while

They'd clear out a room and then we’d play
While they danced around
If we made any money there
We’d always split it down

(Chorus)
(fiddle break)

Now I recall them times so well
They seem like yesterday
Livin' just the two of us
And all the tunes we’d play

Now he's gone away someplace
There’s nothin' left to show
But an old brown fiddle on the wall
Hangin' next to a worn out bow

(Chorus)
(fiddle break)