Lyr Req: A fiddler and therefore a rogue

Subject: Lyr req: A fiddler and therefore a rogu
From: Stephen R.
Date: 27 May 04 - 01:14 PM

Yes, it's slightly revised from Dean Swift. Where can I find the song: A fiddler and therefore a rogue?

Stephen

Subject: RE: Lyr req: A fiddler and therefore a rogu
From: GUEST,Dale
Date: 27 May 04 - 02:11 PM

No time to check about at the moment, but you may be thinking of a song by Prickly Pair, Les & Locke Hamilton from Wyoming. Sorry I am not more helpful than that, but it does give you a start. It may be the weekend before I get a chance to locate and look through my Prickly Pair CDs.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A fiddler and therefore a rogue
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 28 May 04 - 09:41 PM

I hadn't heard of this quote before, but I found it.

Here's what Jonathan Swift wrote:
JOURNAL. LETTER XXVII.
"London, July 25th, 1711.
"I was this afternoon with Mr. Secretary at his office, and helped to hinder a man of his pardon, who is condemned for a rape. The Under Secretary was willing to save him; but I told the Secretary he could not pardon him without a favourable report from the Judge; besides, he was a fiddler, and consequently a rogue, and deserved hanging for something else, and so he shall swing." [Emphasis added.]

Never heard of the song, either. Do you have any information about it?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A fiddler and therefore a rogue
From: Pogo
Date: 28 May 04 - 10:46 PM

I am reminded of the old superstition about all fiddlers going to hell...Poor fiddlers...what did they do to deserve such condemnation? I suspect the Puritans started it

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A fiddler and therefore a rogue
From: GUEST,a fiddler
Date: 28 May 04 - 11:29 PM

Oh, it's a long story, and it goes back a long way before the puritans...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A fiddler and therefore a rogue
From: Stephen R.
Date: 29 May 04 - 11:53 AM

The fiddle seems to have been associated with the Devil from its first appearance. And there is a history even prior to that, of associating certain instruments or classes of instruments with specific gods (or classes of gods) resp. with demons. Various pietistic movements used tales out of such traditions to discourage the use of folk instruments.

Stephen