“Fiddler’s Green” by The Tragically Hip

The term Fiddler’s Green is one that predates this song, with its first recorded usage dating back to the mid-19^th century. Most simply put, it is a depiction of heaven as envisioned by the likes of English sailors of that day. And where the fiddle comes into play is that said paradise consists most notably of music and merriment.

So the reason this song is entitled so is because it is actually in memory of a boy named Charles Giuseppe, who was the nephew of Gord Downie, The Tragically Hip’s frontman. The lyrics do not reveal how old Charles was at the time of his passing, but all wording considered the implication would be that he was quite young. 

Moreover, he died while the band was in the process of putting together the album this song is featured on. So with all of that in mind yes, this song is quite emotional.

The Lyrics of “Fiddler’s Green”

The song’s first verse is the most poetic. Early on, the vocalist lets it be known that the lad passed away on the 17^th of September and that his mother, who herself is depicted as “a girl”, was accordingly distraught. 

And later in the passage, he references a Shakespearean character known as Sir Falstaff, a fictional figure who is characterized as possessing a lack of empathy for others. But in this particular case, even Falstaff himself is found mourning.

The beginning of the second verse then alludes to the cause of Charles’s death, which were heart problems. And yes, this is a very sentimental and personalized piece, one where it’s clear that the vocalist actually knew the child as opposed to, say the latter being a public charity case. 

To be honest, knowing beforehand the backdrop upon which this song is based can bring one to tears, even just by reading the lyrics.

And we’re not compelled to dive extra-deeply into the metaphors being put forth, instead leaving it up to you to enjoy this song, so to speak, in your own comfort zone. But the third verse does further imply that Gord’s nephew was really young when he passed away. But all of that said, the vocalist is confident that young Charles was received favorably into the afterlife, thus the title of this track.

In Conclusion

So even though, as noted, there is a mournful undertone throughout, classifying Fiddler’s Green solely as a song of bereavement doesn’t fully encapsulate the spirit of the piece.  The vocalist is clearly sad, but he ultimately finds relief in the belief that now the subject, who was troubled on the earthly plane, is enjoying the afterlife, which is eternal, to the fullest.  Indeed such is usually the emotional consolation one can lean on when an innocent loved one passes away, i.e. that they no longer have to deal with the various types of misery which plague us here on Earth.

Credits

Writing credit for “Fiddler’s Green” goes out to the entire Tragically Hip crew. The production credit also goes out to one Don Smith.

Release of “Fiddler’s Green”

“Fiddler’s Green” came out on 19 February 1991. It was launched by MCA Records, as part of the Canadian band’s second album, “Road Apples”.