“It’s Time to Pay the Fiddler,” a song written by Don Wayne and Walter Haynes, was recorded by Cal Smith for MCA Records on June 6, 1974, at Bradley’s Barn, 722 Bender’s Ferry Road, Mount Juliet, TN. In the same session, it was also recorded: “Brother Jack”. With the production of Walter Haynes, the song was released in November 1974, reaching # 1 on the US Hot Country Songs charts on March 1, 1975, and remained on the charts for a total of 16 weeks. It also reached # 1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks charts on March 15, 1975. It was the third and final number one in Cal Smith’s career.

The song was included in Cal Smith’s eleventh studio album, It’s Time To Pay The Fiddler (MCA 1975), the album was released in early 1975, and on March 15, 1975, it reached number # 8 on the charts from US Top Country Albums, and spent a total of 12 weeks on the charts.

Versions:

Conway Twitty 1975 (MCA)
Loretta Lynn 1975 (MCA)
Ernest Tubb 1975 (MCA)
Colm & The Sundowners 1979 (ILM)
Buddy Burleson ???? (Three Star Records)

Cal Smith – It’s Time to Pay the Fiddler Lyrics

Well it’s time to pay the fiddler
And it’s sad to know we’ve danced it all away
But the warm night’s disappearing
Leaving nothing but the cold hard light of day

And it’s time to start erasing
All the rainbows we’ve been chasing in our minds
We know there’s no way of making
Other ties on us unravel and unwind

Yes it’s time to pay the fiddler
And today’s the day the first installment’s due
For the rest of all my days I’ll wonder why
The maker mismatched me and you

But there’s so much to consider like my wife and little children
Will need and want my love just like you do
Now it’s time to pay the fiddler but before we pay the fiddler
Let’s ask him to please play one last final tune

Well it’s time to pay the fiddler
And there’s naked sorrow dripping from your eyes
Unrestrained and unashamed we love each other
Now we’ve got to leave it lie

But I can feel my hands trembling
As I search to find the handle on the door
So let’s let the fiddler pull his magic bow
Across our heart strings just once more