The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Oh the people would come from far away
And they'd dance all night till the break of day
When the caller hollered "do-se-do"
You knew Uncle Pen was ready to go
Late in the evening about sundown
High on the hill and above the town
Uncle Pen played the fiddle, lord how it would ring
You could hear it talk, you could hear it sing
He played an old piece he called "Soldier's Joy"
And the one called "The Boston Boy"
The greatest of all was "Jenny Lynn"
To me that's where the fiddle begins
Late in the evening about sundown
High on the hill and above the town
Uncle Pen played the fiddle, lord how it would ring
You could hear it talk, you could hear it sing
I'll never forget that mournful day
When Uncle Pen was called away
They hung up his fiddle, they hung up his bow
They knew it was time for him to go
Late in the evening about sundown
High on the hill and above the town
Uncle Pen played the fiddle, lord how it would ring
You could hear it talk, you could hear it sing
Late in the evening about sundown
High on the hill and above the town
Uncle Pen played the fiddle, lord how it would ring
You could hear it talk, you could hear it sing
And they'd dance all night till the break of day
When the caller hollered "do-se-do"
You knew Uncle Pen was ready to go
Late in the evening about sundown
High on the hill and above the town
Uncle Pen played the fiddle, lord how it would ring
You could hear it talk, you could hear it sing
He played an old piece he called "Soldier's Joy"
And the one called "The Boston Boy"
The greatest of all was "Jenny Lynn"
To me that's where the fiddle begins
Late in the evening about sundown
High on the hill and above the town
Uncle Pen played the fiddle, lord how it would ring
You could hear it talk, you could hear it sing
I'll never forget that mournful day
When Uncle Pen was called away
They hung up his fiddle, they hung up his bow
They knew it was time for him to go
Late in the evening about sundown
High on the hill and above the town
Uncle Pen played the fiddle, lord how it would ring
You could hear it talk, you could hear it sing
Late in the evening about sundown
High on the hill and above the town
Uncle Pen played the fiddle, lord how it would ring
You could hear it talk, you could hear it sing
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Uncle Pen Lyrics as written by Bill Monroe
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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