When the train pulled into the station He rolled up his sleeves, he rosined up his bow He fiddled upside down, Orange Blossom Special, If you want to make a living, you've got to put on a good show
When he smelled the smoke and the cinders He slicked his hair back, he opened up his case He played Cherokee Fiddle, he played for the whiskey Good whiskey never let him lose his place
He was always there playing for the miners Devil's Dream was a tune they understood Then he'd go back to Oklahoma And wait 'till the trains were runnin' and the weather was good
When he smelled the smoke and the cinders Slicked his hair back, opened up his case Played Cherokee Fiddle, played for the whiskey Good whiskey never let him lose his place
Now all the Indians are all dressin' up like cowboys All the cowboys are puttin' leather and turquoise on And all the music gets sold by the lawyers And the fools who fiddled in the middle of the stations are gone
Some folks say they'll never miss him Fiddle screeched like the engine brakes The Cherokee Fiddle's gone forever Like the music that the whistle on an old locomotive makes
When you smell the smoke and the cinders Slick your hair back, open up your case Play Cherokee Fiddle, boys, play it for the whiskey Good whiskey never lets you lose your place Good whiskey never lets you lose your place,