Fiddler's Last Dance

I knew all the tunes
 Before I could talk
 She knew how to dance them
 By the time she could walk
 Friday nights in the parlor
 With fiddle and bow
 Her father and mine
 A lifetime ago
 Each day in the school yard
 'Neath the cool maple shade
 I'd saw on that fiddler
 My grandfather made
 "The Arkansas Traveler"
 "The Old Miner's Hymn"
 While she danced to my tunes
 Like a leaf on the wind
 He left me his music
 When his time had come
 Soon everyone told me
 That I was the one
 I took every trophy
 I claimed every prize
 While the one I could never win
 Danced for my eyes
 Now each Saturday night
 Down at Jack Hewitt's barn
 She comes through the door
 On Jack Hewitt's arm
 With me on the bandstand
 And her on the floor
 I take out my tunes
 And we make love once more
 Bow to your partner
 Balance and swing
 Waltz around gaily
 All in a ring
 The night wind's alive
 With laughter and chance
 Come give us your hand
 For the fiddler's last dance
 Now each week I know
 It's as close as I'll come
 'Cause I know where she sleeps
 When the dancin' is done
 Alone in the night
 I'm the last one again
 I still see her dance
 Like a leaf on the wind
 And the words trip and stumble
 And die on my tongue
 These love songs I write
 That will never be sung
 The evening moon sets
 Like a stone in my breast
 As this page feeds the fire
 Like all of the rest
 Bow to your partner
 Balance and swing
 Waltz around gaily
 All in a ring
 The night wind's alive
 With laughter and chance
 Come give us your hand
 For the fiddler's last dance
 Give us your hand
 For the fiddler's last dance