Second Fiddle Poem by Cicely Fox Smith

Old Jan Riddle
So I've heard tell,
He played the viddle
Uncommon well.

Master player
Was old Jan Riddle,
But all he played
Was second viddle.

And when folk said,
As folk they would,
Play first viddle
They thought Jan should,

He'd only smile
And say he reckoned
Somebody's got
To play the second,

And if he played
So well's he could,
Why, first or second
'Twas just as good.

And now old Jan
In chirchyard lays,
And his old viddle
Nobody plays.

But old Jan Riddle,
So I've heard tell,
He played that viddle
Uncommon well -

Master player
Was old Jan Riddle,
For all he played
But second viddle.