Lyr Req: Sawing on the Strings

Subject: Sawing on the strings
From: GUEST,Markd
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 03:06 PM

Hello there. Anyone know the lyrics of the song Sawing on the strings ? I heard it on the album "The Rice-brothers 2" and I haven't found them yet. Thanks in advance.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sawing on the strings
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 11:50 PM

refresh

Subject: Lyr Add: SAWING ON THE STRINGS
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jan 02 - 10:56 PM

Sawing on the Strings

Note: This is the version played at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. I do not know if it's the version you're looking for, but it probably is (hope so!)

Hello Everybody! - How Do You Do?
We're Here to Sing and Play for You!

Way back in the mountains, way back in the hills
There used to be a mountaineer, they called him fiddlin' Will
Now he could play most anything, and some said he could sing
But the one thing that he liked to do best was sawin' on the strings.

So get out the fiddle and rosin up the bow,
look at old Will just a-tappin' his toes
We'll make music til the rafters ring,
the old man pickin' and sawin' on the strings

When the neighbors had a shindig, and they all had fiddles to eat (???)
They always had to wait on Will for the frolic to be complete
When he came down from the mountains, all the gals began to swing
Sometimes he'd pick that old five string until the break of day

So get out the five string and tighten up the hide,
Tell all the old folks to get inside
We'll make music til the rafters ring,
the old man pickin' and sawin' on the strings

So get out the five string and tighten up the hide,
Tell all the old folks to get inside
We'll make music til the rafters ring,
the old man pickin' and sawin' on the strings

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sawing on the strings
From: GUEST,Phillip
Date: 11 Jan 02 - 11:00 PM

Fiddles to eat...??? That should be "vittles", the mountain pronunciation of victuals. Granny used to serve 'em up to Jed and Jethro and Ellie Mae all the time!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sawing on the strings
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jan 02 - 11:07 PM

Well "vittles" certainly makes a hell of lot more sense than "fiddles" - but I just listened to the CD again and they are definitely singing "fiddles." Probably their mistake....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sawing on the strings
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 13 Jan 02 - 11:27 AM

According to my American Heritage Dictionary, "vittles" is the standard pronunciation of "victuals." Only the spelling "vittles" is non-standard.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sawing on the Strings
From: Tony Rees
Date: 23 Nov 22 - 01:32 PM

Pretty classy version here from Alison Krauss + the best in the biz:
Alison Krauss, Sam Bush & Tony Rice - Sawing on the Strings
- must have watched it a dozen times on the DVD from which it comes.

Alison sings "look at old Will, pattin' his toe" ... surely "tappin' his toe" would be correct!

Don't know who wrote the words, maybe some catters do...

- Tony (Rees not Rice, unfortunately)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sawing on the Strings
From: cnd
Date: 23 Nov 22 - 02:13 PM

The release Rice Brothers 2 (Rounder Records 0286, 1994) credits it as "Traditional"

Reno & Smiley's 1957 single (Dot Records 45-15588) credited songwriter Lewis Compton

Read more about the song here

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sawing on the Strings
From: Tony Rees
Date: 23 Nov 22 - 02:32 PM

Thanks cnd.

Just had a quick listen to the Flatt and Scruggs live version via the last link provide. Maybe "We'll make music til the rafters ring" is "He'll make music til the rafters ring" ??

Just an impression.

Nice catch,

Best - Tony

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sawing on the Strings
From: cnd
Date: 15 Dec 22 - 12:18 PM

I could see it. Honestly that line may change a lot with each band, person, and even performance, since it's so interchangeable.