The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke

Album: Queen II (1974)
Play Video
  • He's a fairy feller

    The fairy folk have gathered 'round the new moon shine
    To see the feller crack a nut at night's noon time
    To swing his axe he swears, as he climbs he dares
    To deliver
    The master stroke

    Ploughman, "waggoner will" and types
    Politician with senatorial pipe, he's a dilly-dally-o
    Pedagogue squinting, wears a frown
    And a satyr peers under lady's gown, dirty fellow
    What a dirty laddio
    Tatterdemalion and the junketer
    There's a thief and a dragonfly trumpeter, he's my hero
    Fairy dandy tickling the fancy of his lady friend
    The nymph in yellow (can we see the master stroke)
    What a quaere fellow

    Soldier, sailor, tinker, tailor, ploughboy
    Waiting to hear the sound
    And the arch-magician presides
    He is the leader

    Oberon and Titania watched by a harridan
    Mab is the queen and there's a good apothecary-man
    Come to say hello
    Fairy dandy tickling the fancy of his lady friend
    The nymph in yellow
    What a quaere fellow
    The ostler stares with hands on his knees
    Come on mister feller, crack it open if you please Writer/s: Freddie Mercury
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 2

  • Alan Theasby from UkSurely not a QUEER fellow as spelt in the lyrics, but a *queare (Anglo-Saxon cwēr) one, quaere (Latinised) or quaire ("Irish")...?
  • Justin Sullivan from Rochester NyWhere else was it played
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo Lyric

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo LyricMusic Quiz

In this quiz, spot the artist who put Romeo into a song lyric.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.