A 1919 popular song
words and music by Al W. Brown and Haven Gillespie
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Jonesy didn’t drink, Jonesy didn’t smoke
Jonesy didn’t gamble, yet was always broke
Wifie had her doubts, she began to snoop
Found he kept a chicken in another coop
When he came home one night
She yelled with all her might
Chorus
I’m getting tired playing second fiddle
Playing second fiddle to you
I’m goin’ to rest my chin on a new violin
That plays a loving symphony the whole day through
You seem to think that you’re some fiddler
Well, I’m some fiddler, too
You may think that I’m a dunce
But you can’t play two tunes at once
I’m getting tired playing second fiddle
Playing second fiddle to you
- Wifie didn’t grieve, wifie didn’t cry
Wifie got real busy with another guy
Every night he called, looking sanctified
Claimed he was a cousin on her mother’s side
But Jonesy lost his head
And to that cousin said
Chorus
I’m getting tired playing second fiddle
Playing second fiddle to you
I’m goin’ to rest my chin on a new violin
That plays a loving symphony the whole day through
You seem to think that you’re some fiddler
Well, I’m some fiddler, too
I know what charm music has
But I think you’ve been playing jazz
I’m getting tired playing second fiddle
Playing second fiddle to you
Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: