O my name is William MacDonnell, I have come across the sea I am no handsome man of wealth, nor do I plan to be. But I’ve a treasure fit for kings, and beggars all the same And she comes with me wherever I go, sometimes she calls my name.
My father worked his life away, diggin’ for the coal To the central lowlands every day, with shovel he would go And he left for me the only thing, he felt he had twas fine It is my pride and joy, it’s yours now boy read the note he left behind.
CHORUS
No apple falls far from a tree, now I pass this fiddle down to thee Hold it near your heart and soul, and let your passions guide your bow And when the music sweet does play, know I’ll be not far away Though my body lies down with the coal, my spirit lies for you to hold In the fiddle and bow
So with fiddle strapped upon my back I set out to see new lands I have lived a wild and rovin’ life, played to meek and grand And to all I played with all I had and I could not help believe When I’d draw the bow across the strings, somehow I’d set him free