The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke
Queen · The Crown Jewels [1998]
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 it 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 a junketer
There's a thief and a dragonfly trumpeter - he's my hero, aah
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, tailer, ploughboy
Waiting to hear the sound
And the arch-magician presides
He is the leader
Oberon and Titania watched by the 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 stands with hands on his knees
Come on Mr. Feller, crack it open if you please
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 it 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 a junketer
There's a thief and a dragonfly trumpeter - he's my hero, aah
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, tailer, ploughboy
Waiting to hear the sound
And the arch-magician presides
He is the leader
Oberon and Titania watched by the 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 stands with hands on his knees
Come on Mr. Feller, crack it open if you please
The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke
Released in 1973 on Queen's second album, 'A Night at the Opera', this track stands as a quintessential example of the band's progressive rock and operatic rock fusion. Featuring the iconic 'We Will Rock You' rhythm, the song showcases Freddie Mercury's vocal range and the group's ability to blend theatricality with rock energy. It remains a staple of their discography, often performed live to energize audiences worldwide. The composition reflects the era's experimental spirit while establishing enduring themes of power and triumph that resonate across generations of rock fans.