The Fiddle and the Drum

by Joni Mitchell

From the album: Clouds

Track 9 of 10 on Clouds (1969).

Duration: 2:49

Clouds cover art

Lyrics for The Fiddle and the Drum

And so once again My dear Johnny, my dear friend And so once again you are fightin' us all And when I ask you why You raise your sticks and cry and I fall Oh, my friend, how did you come To trade the fiddle for the drum? You say I have turned Like the enemies you've earned But I can remember all the good things you are And so I ask you, please Can I help you find the peace and the star? Oh, my friend, what time is this To trade the handshake for the fist? And so once again Oh, America, my friend And so once again you are fighting us all And when we ask you why You raise your sticks and cry and we fall Oh, my friend, how did you come To trade the fiddle for the drum? You say we have turned Like the enemies you've earned But we can remember all the good things you are And so we ask you, please Can we help you find the peace and the star? Oh, my friend, we have all come To fear the beating of your drum

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More from Clouds

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  2. Chelsea Morning
  3. I Don't Know Where I Stand
  4. That Song About the Midway
  5. Roses Blue
  6. The Gallery
  7. I Think I Understand
  8. Songs to Aging Children Come
  9. The Fiddle and the Drum
  10. Both Sides Now