In 2010 Kerr and Fagan joined Richard Arrowsmith and Jess Arrowsmith to form Melrose Quartet.
www.kerrfagan.com.
Dance to Your Daddy
Nancy Kerr & James Fagan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My little laddie
Dance to your daddy, my little lad
Dance to your daddy
My little laddie
Dance to your daddy
My little lad
You shall have a fish and you shall have a fin
You shall have a codling boiled in a pan
Dance to your daddy
My little lad
Dance to your daddy
My little laddie
Dance to your daddy
My little lad
Dance to your daddy
My little laddie
Dance to your daddy
My little lad
When you are a man and come to take a wife
You can wed a lass and love her all your life
She can be your lass if you will be her lad
Dance to your daddy
My little lad
Dance to your daddy
My little laddie
Dance to your daddy
My little lad
Dance to your daddy
My little laddie
Dance to your daddy
My little lad
You shall have a fish and you shall have a fin
You shall have a herring when the boat comes in
You shall have a salmon boiled in a pan
Dance to your daddy
My little lad
You shall have a fishy on a little dishy
You shall have a bloater when the boat comes in
You shall have a fishy on a little dishy
You shall have a herring when the boat comes in
Dance to your daddy
Sing to your mammy
Dance to your daddy
To your mammy sing
Dance to your daddy
Sing to your mammy
Dance to your daddy
To your mammy sing
You shall have a fishy on a little dishy
You shall have a bloater when the boat comes in
You shall have a fishy on a little dishy
You shall have a bloater when the boat comes in
Dance to your daddy
Sing to your mammy
Dance to your daddy
To your mammy sing
Dance to your daddy
Sing to your mammy
Dance to your daddy
To your mammy sing
Dance!
Dance!
"Dance To Your Daddy" is a traditional English folk song that has undergone several iterations and has variations in its lyrics. Nancy Kerr and James Fagan's version is an upbeat and lively rendition of the song that encourages a little lad to dance to his daddy's tune. The song begins with the repeated refrain of "dance to your daddy, my little lad," and is followed by a promise of a fish and a fin, herring, and codling, boiled in a pan, to the child. The song then shifts to a more reflective tone, promising the child that when he grows up and takes a wife, she will be his lass, and he can love her all his life.
The song's repetitive nature creates a hypnotic and cheerful atmosphere, highlighting the father-son bond and reinforcing the promises made to the little lad. The lyrics suggest that the father passes down his legacy through traditions and values, including love, commitment, and happiness. The song's lyrics may also have religious connotations, encouraging faith and obedience to God, as the father figure assumes a similar role.
Overall, "Dance To Your Daddy" is a traditional folk song that encourages children to follow their fathers, learn from them, and cherish their teachings. It is a song that highlights the timeless value of tradition and the joy of father-son relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Dance to your daddy
Encouraging the young lad to dance with his father.
My little laddie
Affectionate reference to the young boy.
Dance to your daddy, my little lad
Repeated encouragement to dance with his father.
You shall have a fish and you shall have a fin
Promising the young boy a variety of different fish.
You shall have a herring when the boat comes in
Assuring the young boy that he will get a herring when the fishing boat arrives.
You shall have a codling boiled in a pan
Further promise of a specific type of fish, boiled for the young boy.
Dance to your daddy
Encouragement to dancing once again.
When you are a man and come to take a wife
Looking towards the young boy's future as a grown man getting married.
You can wed a lass and love her all your life
Encouraging the young boy to find a woman to marry and spend his life with.
She can be your lass if you will be her lad
Explaining that if the young boy is a good companion to his partner, she can be his wife.
You shall have a salmon boiled in a pan
Changing the promised fish to a salmon, boiled especially for the young boy.
You shall have a fishy on a little dishy
Repeating a previous promise of a fishy dish for the young boy.
You shall have a bloater when the boat comes in
Another promise of food, this time a bloater when the boat comes back to shore.
Sing to your mammy
Instructing the boy to sing for his mother.
To your mammy sing
Continuation of the instruction to sing for his mother.
Dance!
Final encouragement to dance in celebration of the promises and future ahead for the young boy.
Contributed by Violet B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@gwenpotter6913
My brain can't comprehend how she can be playing one tune and singing another!! Amazing, Nancy Kerr!!
@alicec1533
It is pretty amazing, it reminds me of the many complicated things technical metal frontmen have to play whilst singing.
@wendycampbell3801
Phenomenal playing and singing! I bet a brain scan would light up like a Christmas tree with all that's going on there with Nancy's playing and singing. She is just so incredible!!! And the pair is amazing together! Love them!
@peakfiddler
Certainly one of the best versions I've heard of this classic folk song from the North East. Performed so skilfully.
@matthewcollins9872
Absolutely beautiful. Makes me think of my Geordie roots and weep with joy. Thank you….
@gphilpott7122
Love the way her right hand and the fingers on the left hand fly while she remains so laid back and composed
@emaych2
Wonderful playing here--Nancy is a rare fiddler and a great singer, and James is really in the pocket. They're really tight. What a strange way to hold the bow, but she plays with such brilliance and grace.
@markbluemel9057
A bit late to the party, but I believe that bow hold is not unusual in folk circles as it facilitates double-stops and use of drones better than the conventional hold. I'm open to correction, mind you.
@vickystanley8853
I'm very often (like right now) compelled to reply that the whole of the British Isles has amazing traditional music..not just Scotland & Ireland.
I love English trad!
@benwoodhall89
Love it