Herring Song, The

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  • Teideal (Title): Herring Song, The.
  • Uimhir Chatalóige Ollscoil Washington (University of Washington Catalogue Number): 850404.
  • Uimhir Chnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann (National Folklore of Ireland Number): none.
  • Uimhir Roud (Roud Number): 128.
  • Uimhir Laws (Laws Number): none.
  • Uimhir Child (Child Number): none.
  • Cnuasach (Collection): Joe Heaney Collection, University of Washington, Seattle.
  • Teanga na Croímhíre (Core-Item Language): English.
  • Catagóir (Category): song.
  • Ainm an té a thug (Name of Informant): Joe Heaney.
  • Ainm an té a thóg (Name of Collector): Jill Linzee.
  • Dáta an taifeadta (Recording Date): between 1982 and 1984.
  • Suíomh an taifeadta (Recording Location): unavailable.
  • Ocáid an taifeadta (Recording Occasion): private.
  • Daoine eile a bhí i láthair (Others present): unavailable.
  • Stádas chóipcheart an taifeadta (Recording copyright status): unavailable.

There was an old man who came from Kinsale
Sing abar-a-linn, sing abar-a-linn
He had a herring, a herring for sale
Sing abar-a-linn, sing abar-a-linn.
Sing man from Kinslae, sing herring for sale
Sing abar-a-linn, sing abar-a-linn
And indeed I have more of my herring to sing.
Sing abar-a-linn, sing abar-a-linn.

What do you think we made of his back?
The finest fellow whose name it was Jack.
Sing herring, sing back, sing back, sing Jack
And indeed I have more of my herring to sing.

What do you think we made of his belly?
A fine girl, her name it was Nelly.
Sing herring, sing belly, sing belly, sing Nelly
And indeed I have more of my herring to sing.

What do you think we made of his bones?
The finest chisel that ever cut stone.
Sing herring, sing bone, sing bone, sing stone
And indeed I have more of my herring to sing.

What do you think we made of his tail?
The finest ship that ever set sail.
Sing herring, sing tail, sing tail, sing sail
And indeed I have more of my herring to sing.

Notes

Jill Linzee, a graduate student at the University of Washington, was particularly interested in Joe’s repertoire of children’s songs.