Old Joe Clark is one of the best known fiddle tunes, due to the modern times version of it recorded by the electronic fusion band Rednex.
Learn to play Old Joe Clark here
Many different sets of lyrics have been written to Old Joe Clark, but as a fiddler, the tune is really what matters.
Here is the traditional first verse, followed by a couple of funnier verses:
Old Joe Clark the preacher’s son, Came to town one day.
People come from miles around, just to hear him play.
Chorus:
Fare the well Old Joe Clark, Fare the well I say
Fare the well Old Joe Clark, See ya again some day
Went to visit Old Joe Clark, Sick and down in bed
Put my fingers down his throat, Pulled out an elephant’s head
Chorus:
Fare the well Old Joe Clark, Fare the well I say
Fare the well Old Joe Clark, See ya again some day
Finest thing I ever saw was two women fightin’
One cried out, “It ain’t no fair” the other one was bitin’
Chorus:
Fare the well Old Joe Clark, Fare the well I say
Fare the well Old Joe Clark, See ya again some day
i really enjoy your program ans it’s enlightening me to some of the songs I hear at the California State Old Time Fiddlers Association. I joined this organization at an early stage of my learning to play fiddle and lets just say I’m pretty much in over my head. I’m giving it a try anyway. If you could I would like to hear your instructional on Bob Wills “Right or Wrong”. Thank you and may God bless.
Hi Gopher. I’m glad you are enjoying Fiddle Tune a Day. I didn’t play Right or Wrong as part of Fiddle Tune a Day, but it is definitely a good song. It is definitely a tune that we will consider doing a lesson for on http://www.myTalentForge.com
Thanks for the fiddle-fix today!
You’re welcome, Rex!
Hi, I just found you and I’m very inspired and excited. Two things, it would help if you played a version very s l o w ly or if it was available on sheet music. I truely appreciate what you are doing! Awesome! Thanks – Kat
Hi Kat,
We have sheet music, and lessons on a lot of these tunes at http://www.MyTalentForge.com
ps. You are very welcome. It’m my pleasure.
Well, well, well! I stumbled into a backstage party in Nashville 1975. I joined a session of senior citicences. Really hot bluegrass. There was a mandolin player that seemed to be the band leader. As there where no fiddler there I gently asked if I might join the session. Of course! After hours of cracking tunes, beers and silly jokes, and i´m telling ya, we had so fun! It wasn´t untill the next day that I really realised that i´ve been partying together with Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass boys. Hooplah!
That's a fantastic story, Anders. Thanks for sharing!
Hey, thanks for putting the lyrics down here. I've never seen them. Very funny. I think I'll enjoy playing the song even more now. For some reason it helps me to remember a song better if I know the words. Now, if only I could sing… lol
You're welcome. There are lots of other silly verses to Old Joe Clark that people have made up. Fiddle on!
Lovely musical performance !
Thanks, Michael!
Enjoy hearing the old time fiddle tunes, can you play “soldier’s joy” a civil war tune for one of your daily fiddle tune.
Hi Chuck, I did record Soldier’s Joy. It’s day 27 – https://www.vithefiddler.com/soldiers-joy-fiddle-tune-a-day-day-27/
Lovely musical performance !