When the Boat Comes In
1826 
North East England Lyrics
Dance to your Daddy my little man
Dance to your Daddy sing to your mommy
Dance to your Daddy my little man
You shall have a fishy on a little dishy
You shall have a fishy when the boat comes in
You shall have a herring on a little dishy
You shall have a herring when the boat comes in
Come here me little Jacky
Now aw’ve smoked mi backy
Have a bit o’ cracky
Till the boat comes in
Dance to your Daddy sing to your mammy
Dance to your Daddy my little man
You shall have a fishy on a little dishy
You shall have a fishy when the boat comes in
You shall have a mackerel on a little dishy
You shall have a mackerel when the boat comes in
Dance to your Daddy my little laddie
Dance to your Daddy my little man
Dance to your Daddy sing to your mommy
Dance to your Daddy my little man
You shall have a fishy on a little dishy
You shall have a fishy when the boat comes in
You shall have a herring on a little dishy
You shall have a herring when the boat comes in
History and Meaning
"When the Boat Comes In" (also known as "Dance Ti Thy Daddy") is a traditional English folk song with roots in Northumbria, North East England. An early source for its lyrics can be found in Joseph Robson's "Songs of the bards of the Tyne," published in 1849, with the lyrics believed to have been written by William Watson around 1826. The song gained significant modern popularity as the theme tune for the 1970s BBC drama serial of the same name. The traditional version depicts a child waiting for the boat to come in, dancing for their father, singing for their mother, and hoping for a fish. The song is sometimes associated with or sung alongside "Bobby Shafto," another North-East folk song, as both share the Northumbrian regional heritage although they are distinct compositions. The folk songs of this region often celebrated the maritime life and fishing communities that were central to the area's economy and culture.