When the Boat Comes In
Lyrics
Dance to your Daddy, my little laddieDance to your Daddy my little manDance to your Daddy sing to your mommyDance to your Daddy my little man
You shall have a fishy on a little dishyYou shall have a fishy when the boat comes inYou shall have a herring on a little dishyYou shall have a herring when the boat comes in
Come here me little JackyNow aw’ve smoked mi backyHave a bit o’ crackyTill the boat comes in
Dance to your Daddy sing to your mammyDance to your Daddy my little manYou shall have a fishy on a little dishyYou shall have a fishy when the boat comes inYou shall have a mackerel on a little dishyYou shall have a mackerel when the boat comes in
Dance to your Daddy my little laddieDance to your Daddy my little manDance to your Daddy sing to your mommyDance to your Daddy my little man
You shall have a fishy on a little dishyYou shall have a fishy when the boat comes inYou shall have a herring on a little dishyYou shall have a herring when the boat comes in
History and Meaning
"When the Boat Comes In" promises a child a "fishy on a little dishy" the moment the fishing boat returns, a Geordie lullaby from the Tyneside coast. William Watson wrote the verses around 1826, and a 1970s BBC drama borrowed the tune for its theme.
Where does the song When the Boat Comes In come from?
The song originated in the Newcastle and Tyneside region of North East England, an area historically famous for its coal mining and maritime fishing industries. The lyrics were first published in Newcastle in Joseph Robson's "Songs of the Bards of the Tyne" in 1849, though the verses are believed to have been composed by Newcastle song-writer William Watson around 1826.
What does "have a bit o' cracky" mean in the song?
The song uses traditional Geordie (Tyneside) dialect words that reflect its regional working-class roots. The line "have a bit o' cracky" uses the local term "cracky" (or "crack"), meaning a chat, pleasant conversation, or gossip. Other dialect elements include "aw've smoked mi backy" (I have smoked my tobacco) and "fishy on a little dishy" (a reference to the small dishes used for serving fish to children).
Modern Popularity and Television
The song gained a massive new audience when it was adapted as the theme tune for the BBC television drama series "When the Boat Comes In" (which aired from 1976 to 1981). The series, starring James Bolam, followed the struggles of a former soldier in a North East coal town after the First World War. The theme tune, arranged by composer David Fanshawe, became widely recognized across the United Kingdom.
Comparison to Bobby Shafto
"When the Boat Comes In" is often associated with "Bobby Shafto," another famous North East English folk song. Both share a similar Northumbrian maritime heritage and celebrate the life of sea-faring communities. However, they remain entirely distinct compositions with different melodies and histories.
Music Video
Lyrics from nurseryrhymes.info