The Story Behind The Song
This song from the show "I Had A Ball" stopped the show nightly as sung gloriously by Richard Kiley. His version alone is worth getting the original cast album just re-released by Decca Broadway. Unfortunately, I am not aware of any other recordings. Here are the lyrics:
Well, it was quite a ball; Too bad your bluebird has flown,
Boy, when you fall, you fall. You must be accident prone!
Don't put your faith in fate; You risk your heart when you cling
To the FICKLE FINGER OF FATE!
Fate shuffles hearts around like they were cards in a deck,
Shoots Cupid's darts around and you got yours in the neck,
Don't mess with destiny; you'll end up getting a sting
From the FICKLE FINGER OF FATE!
Don''t mess with life and love, you'll find it's all prearranged,
It's written up above and not a word can be changed,
That moving finger, friend, of which the poets all sing
Is the FICKLE FINGER OF FATE!
Life is a dirty book that should be censored, my friend,
Don't try to steal a look to find out how it will end,
The end is clear, my friend, we're puppets tied to a string
On the FICKLE FINGER OF FATE!
So pal. Don't push your luck; don't put your future in hock,
It wouldn't bring a buck, It's all a rose colored crock,
Unfog those glasses, pal, and see that nice poison ring
Encircle-ing . . .the FICKLE FINGER OF FATE!
Listen to Kiley on the newly re-released album, "I Had a Ball."
