From the 1991 album, " Road Apples ," a very personal song for Gord, about his nephew, Charles who passed away. Fiddlers Green is a metaphor for the afterlife, with aspirations for tranquility and solace. The poetic lyrics hold such emotional depth, with the melodic hooks, along with Gord's evocative storytelling abilities, all delivered with a beautiful guitar, share the emotions perfectly. Sadly we lost Gord to brain cancer in 2017, the whole of Canada devastated by the loss. RIP Gord, love you forever. ❤️❤️🇨🇦🇨🇦 Great reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and Adam. 👏👏Cheers from Canada. 🇨🇦
I love Canadian comments to Harri's Hip reactions. Every damn one of us are all in on The Hip and it's wonderful to share. This is a must play campfire song that me and the boys play and as soon as everyone hears the first lyrics I sing, they all join in.
September seventeen For a girl I know it's Mother's Day Her son has gone alee And that's where he will stay Wind on the weather vane Tearing blue eyes sailor-mean As Falstaff sings a sorrowful refrain For a boy in Fiddler's Green His tiny knotted heart Well, I guess it never worked too good The timber tore apart And the water gorged the wood You can hear her whispered prayer For men at masts that always lean The same wind that moves her hair Moves a boy through Fiddler's Green Oh, nothing's changed anyway Oh, nothing's changed anyway Oh, anytime today He doesn't know a soul There's nowhere that he's really been But he won't travel long alone No, not in Fiddler's Green Balloons all filled with rain As children's eyes turn sleepy-mean And Falstaff sings a sorrowful refrain For a boy in Fiddler's Green One day soon this will surely be listed as one of Canada's greatest poems.
I can't imagine how hard this must be - for the ENTIRE band - to play knowing what we all know about Gord's cancer. The Universe took one of the good ones way too soon. RIP CGord; forever missed, forever grateful that you walked among us for as long as you did.
“The timber tore apart and the water gorged the wood”. When I hear these lyrics I always imagined the mother clawing at the coffin with tears hitting it. Just heartbreaking.
Thank you, Harri. I don't think there's a Canadian this song hasn't touched. I have always said that The Tragically Hip defined what it means to be Canadian to a younger that may not have heard Gordon Lightfoot or Stan Rogers. This song was a song I could barely listen to for a long time. But now, I find a lot of comfort and hope in it. I always play it six or seven times when I move from one province to another as it seems fitting. I listened to it a bunch while I served in the Armed Forces on peace keeping missions and it kept me sane ish and in touch with my humanity and my heart
OMG, thank you. So rare to see The Hip covered outside of Canada. I have seen them in the States to almost empty rooms as well as beyond sold out shows in Canada with people outside listening. This made me weepy. Thank you Harry, RIP Gord
The singer's sister lost her son due to heart disease. I believe he was 3 years old. He passed on Sept 17. Another band member lost his brother to the same disease at a high school dance. Right in front of the band members when they were boys. Fiddler's Green is a reference to an old time sailors term for heaven.
This song makes tears roll down my cheeks when I hear it. I think of people I know that I’ve lost. Gord was such a poet to these words together and it is so suitable to the melody the band matched with it. Rob Baker is par excellence on guitar.
My partner introduced me to The Hip (being Australians they're not known here at all) and we sing this song together, and every time it gets to the lyrics, "He doesn't know a soul, and there's nowhere that he's really been", it hits so hard I have to stop myself from crying. Such poignant lyrics. For anyone looking for another song about loss that hits hard, check out The Night is a Blackbird by Australian band Augie March - written about one of the band members that passed away. There's also Owen's Lament, which is about a soldier going to fight in WWI and talking to his partner - some of the most poignant lyrics ever. Augie March are actually my favourite band of all time, and well worth checking out: There Is No Such Place, One Crowded Hour, and the live version of Here Comes The Night are probably good places to start.
This song is one I remember singing when I was a teenager. I think the lyrics and original tune were written in the early 60s and based on the legend of a jolly afterlife for dead mariners. When I sang it with the school folk group to which I belonged, it went by its original name of The Forecastle or Fo'c'sul Song.
I just had to google your claim. I found someone playing a song called Fiddler's Green, and the description mentioned it was often called Fo'c'sul Song, and it's a totally different song. The song in the video above is from 1991 and it was written by Gord Downie and his band The Tragically Hip.
I was at this concert. My dad let me know that its rare for them to play this song as its too emotionally heavy. Its about Gords nephew who passed away.
the song is based on old english/irish poetry/legend. its based on a boy who was a sailor at war and parished, and in this case its G.D's cousin who left this earth on the 17th of sept. from heart complications "his tiny knotted heart, while i guess it never worked to good. fiddlers green is an inland paradise where sailors would retire to after death but in this case as a boy hed be taking in by the tide winds from the isle metephorically and the sailors would welcome him in after hearing the mothers crying prayer to the "men at mast who always lean" . lyrics at times refer to a ship sinking and water gorging the wood of the ship also like the boys broken down body/soul . the lust for travels and life experiences being so young to pass with "i guess there is nowhere that hes really been". it uses fictional characters from Shakespeare like Sir Falstaff who lacked empathy for all others but even in this song he is mourning "As Falstaff sings a sorrowful refrain, For a boy in Fiddler's Green".. iand for Gord who has now gone away too. R.I.P.G.D and hope the rest of the band members are doing well! you blessed us for many many years
The Son had a congenital heart defect. It was Gords nephew. They were from the Maritimes on the East coast of Canada. They have a rich fishing history. Fiddler's Green is where fisherman go when they die. Lush green hills.
Good Downie is a poet. The song is about his nephew that died of infection after surgery for a heart defect. The song has a nautical theme. Using metaphor to describe the story of his nephew’s death. Falstaff is a Shakespeare character who was a fool. For him to be singing a « sorrowful refrain « tells of how painful and sad this is. Balloons all filled with rain reference IV fluids and bags. There is no other lyricist in modern day that equals or comes close to Gord Downie. A little research would help appreciate his songs so much more.
The Hip crafted modern Canadian Folklore with tales borne by the heart to touch our very soul. It is wonderful that the world is finally listening. A nation misses you Gord, and loves you still.
My favorite band....One of my favorite guitarists....Favorite singer.... REST IN PEACE GORDON
The Hip is among my favorite bands. And I’m an American…
As a Canadian, we are always so happy to hear someone else from somewhere else love Gord too.
Long live The Hip.
It was a song about Gordon Downie's sister's young son who died as a child, Gord's nephew; that's why it was so hard for him.
I was going to mention this. Heart wrenching song.
fiddlers green is the colour of scrubs
From the 1991 album, " Road Apples ," a very personal song for Gord, about his nephew, Charles who passed away.
Fiddlers Green is a metaphor for the afterlife, with aspirations for tranquility and solace.
The poetic lyrics hold such emotional depth, with the melodic hooks, along with Gord's evocative storytelling abilities, all delivered with a beautiful guitar, share the emotions perfectly. Sadly we lost Gord to brain cancer in 2017, the whole of Canada devastated by the loss. RIP Gord, love you forever. ❤️❤️🇨🇦🇨🇦 Great reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and Adam. 👏👏Cheers from Canada. 🇨🇦
I love Canadian comments to Harri's Hip reactions. Every damn one of us are all in on The Hip and it's wonderful to share. This is a must play campfire song that me and the boys play and as soon as everyone hears the first lyrics I sing, they all join in.
Thank you, you truly put into words, what I could n
Absolutely. You can feel his pain…
Road apples
Wrong from the album Road Apples
September seventeen
For a girl I know it's Mother's Day
Her son has gone alee
And that's where he will stay
Wind on the weather vane
Tearing blue eyes sailor-mean
As Falstaff sings a sorrowful refrain
For a boy in Fiddler's Green
His tiny knotted heart
Well, I guess it never worked too good
The timber tore apart
And the water gorged the wood
You can hear her whispered prayer
For men at masts that always lean
The same wind that moves her hair
Moves a boy through Fiddler's Green
Oh, nothing's changed anyway
Oh, nothing's changed anyway
Oh, anytime today
He doesn't know a soul
There's nowhere that he's really been
But he won't travel long alone
No, not in Fiddler's Green
Balloons all filled with rain
As children's eyes turn sleepy-mean
And Falstaff sings a sorrowful refrain
For a boy in Fiddler's Green
One day soon this will surely be listed as one of Canada's greatest poems.
Thank you for posting the lyrics brother. You are right about it being recognized as a poem.
This song is a dedication to Gord Downies nephew and Gord Sinclairs brother
A catalog of Downey's lyrics, would provide countless worthy recipients.
I can't imagine how hard this must be - for the ENTIRE band - to play knowing what we all know about Gord's cancer. The Universe took one of the good ones way too soon. RIP CGord; forever missed, forever grateful that you walked among us for as long as you did.
Almost prophetic for his mother
RIP Gordon. GREAT band!
“The timber tore apart and the water gorged the wood”. When I hear these lyrics I always imagined the mother clawing at the coffin with tears hitting it. Just heartbreaking.
Great group brother.... respect
One of the most underrated bands in history.
Many young souls are moving through fiddlers green. When children die it’s quite possibly the hardest thing one can deal with.
Thank you, Harri. I don't think there's a Canadian this song hasn't touched. I have always said that The Tragically Hip defined what it means to be Canadian to a younger that may not have heard Gordon Lightfoot or Stan Rogers. This song was a song I could barely listen to for a long time. But now, I find a lot of comfort and hope in it. I always play it six or seven times when I move from one province to another as it seems fitting. I listened to it a bunch while I served in the Armed Forces on peace keeping missions and it kept me sane ish and in touch with my humanity and my heart
OMG, thank you. So rare to see The Hip covered outside of Canada.
I have seen them in the States to almost empty rooms as well as beyond sold out shows in Canada with people outside listening.
This made me weepy. Thank you Harry, RIP Gord
Maybe my favorite group name, ever.
The singer's sister lost her son due to heart disease. I believe he was 3 years old. He passed on Sept 17. Another band member lost his brother to the same disease at a high school dance. Right in front of the band members when they were boys. Fiddler's Green is a reference to an old time sailors term for heaven.
I saw these guys live and they were fantastic. Such a touching song as well. Thank you Adam and Harri.
Its about his nephew. And I cry every time!
Wow Bobby Baker on guitars playing melts my heart along with Gords poetic lyrics
Gordie was a true poet and forever loved. We miss you Gordie ❤️
Another gem from Canada. This is very thought provoking and sad. Nice request and commentary. Thanks Adam and Harri 🌺✌️
Written for his late nephew who died at 3 years old. Fiddlers green is sailors Heaven.
He was 5. Died of a heart condition. ☹️
I really like you Harri, for your compassion, your intelligence, your kindness, and your awareness. You have a very lovable personality. Thank you! ❤
Fiddler's Green is an after-life, similar to Valhalla and the like
Rest in peace brother......love you 🇨🇦
I don't think I will ever be able to listen to the HIP with out crying
How 'bout now?
This song gets me every time
This song makes tears roll down my cheeks when I hear it. I think of people I know that I’ve lost. Gord was such a poet to these words together and it is so suitable to the melody the band matched with it. Rob Baker is par excellence on guitar.
One of best/ saddest songs ever written. I cry every time I listen to it.. RIP Gord❤
My partner introduced me to The Hip (being Australians they're not known here at all) and we sing this song together, and every time it gets to the lyrics, "He doesn't know a soul, and there's nowhere that he's really been", it hits so hard I have to stop myself from crying. Such poignant lyrics.
For anyone looking for another song about loss that hits hard, check out The Night is a Blackbird by Australian band Augie March - written about one of the band members that passed away. There's also Owen's Lament, which is about a soldier going to fight in WWI and talking to his partner - some of the most poignant lyrics ever.
Augie March are actually my favourite band of all time, and well worth checking out: There Is No Such Place, One Crowded Hour, and the live version of Here Comes The Night are probably good places to start.
Watched your stuff from afar.. mad respect for covering this! RIP Gord.
This song is one I remember singing when I was a teenager. I think the lyrics and original tune were written in the early 60s and based on the legend of a jolly afterlife for dead mariners. When I sang it with the school folk group to which I belonged, it went by its original name of The Forecastle or Fo'c'sul Song.
I just had to google your claim. I found someone playing a song called Fiddler's Green, and the description mentioned it was often called Fo'c'sul Song, and it's a totally different song. The song in the video above is from 1991 and it was written by Gord Downie and his band The Tragically Hip.
I was at this concert. My dad let me know that its rare for them to play this song as its too emotionally heavy. Its about Gords nephew who passed away.
the r.e.m comparison kind of blew my mind. you are 100% right
the song is based on old english/irish poetry/legend. its based on a boy who was a sailor at war and parished, and in this case its G.D's cousin who left this earth on the 17th of sept. from heart complications "his tiny knotted heart, while i guess it never worked to good. fiddlers green is an inland paradise where sailors would retire to after death but in this case as a boy hed be taking in by the tide winds from the isle metephorically and the sailors would welcome him in after hearing the mothers crying prayer to the "men at mast who always lean" . lyrics at times refer to a ship sinking and water gorging the wood of the ship also like the boys broken down body/soul . the lust for travels and life experiences being so young to pass with "i guess there is nowhere that hes really been". it uses fictional characters from Shakespeare like Sir Falstaff who lacked empathy for all others but even in this song he is mourning "As Falstaff sings a sorrowful refrain, For a boy in Fiddler's Green".. iand for Gord who has now gone away too. R.I.P.G.D and hope the rest of the band members are doing well! you blessed us for many many years
Fiddler's Green might be a cemetery.
The Hip are just so damn good...
& yea I always thought they sounded as if heavily influenced by early Stones & REM...
The Son had a congenital heart defect. It was Gords nephew. They were from the Maritimes on the East coast of Canada. They have a rich fishing history. Fiddler's Green is where fisherman go when they die. Lush green hills.
The "lost at sea" stuff in the song is metaphorical; his nephew actually died of a congenital heart condition.
thank-you for this one
The boy is his nephew a 4yrs
Old i believe, his sisters son passed from heart issues thats the what the songs about if anyone wanted to know
❤❤❤❤Awesome
The mother of the song was his sister. Beyond sad.
His 3 year old nephew had a heart defect and sadly passed away after surgery ... just so heartbreaking
He was 5. Either way too young to go. ☹️
About his nephews passing. Look up the meaning of fiddlers green
Good Downie is a poet. The song is about his nephew that died of infection after surgery for a heart defect. The song has a nautical theme. Using metaphor to describe the story of his nephew’s death. Falstaff is a Shakespeare character who was a fool. For him to be singing a « sorrowful refrain « tells of how painful and sad this is. Balloons all filled with rain reference IV fluids and bags. There is no other lyricist in modern day that equals or comes close to Gord Downie. A little research would help appreciate his songs so much more.
The Hip crafted modern Canadian Folklore with tales borne by the heart to touch our very soul.
It is wonderful that the world is finally listening.
A nation misses you Gord, and loves you still.
I think it is his nephew who passed away
It was.
It was husband nephew.
The boy was born with a heart problem
Tiny and knotted.
It’s about the death of Gord’s son
Check out New Orleans is sinking
not a common song, for a reason.