{"id":367,"date":"2012-09-06T19:39:52","date_gmt":"2012-09-06T23:39:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cliffhaslam.com\/?page_id=367"},"modified":"2026-02-23T20:42:59","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T01:42:59","slug":"the-herring-song","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cliffhaslam.com\/?page_id=367","title":{"rendered":"The Herring Song"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just a fun audience participation song. Again there are many versions with more parts to explore. First heard from John Roberts and Tony Barrand.<\/p>\n

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Artwork by Christian Wildi – July 2017<\/p><\/div>\n

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What’ll we do with a herrin’s head?
\nWhat’ll we do with a herrin’s head?<\/em>
\nWe’ll mak’ it into loaves of bread
\nHerrin’s head, loaves of bread<\/em>
\nAnd all manner of things:<\/em>
\n And of all the fish that swim in the sea<\/em>
\n The herrin’ is the one for me<\/em>
\n How are you the day? How are you the day<\/em>?
\nHow are you the day, my hinny-o?<\/em><\/p>\n

And what’ll we do with a herrin’s eyes?
\nAnd what’ll we do with a herrin’s eyes<\/em>?
\nWe’ll mak’ ’em into puddings and pies
\nHerrin’s eyes, puddings and pies<\/em>
\nHerrin’s head, loaves of bread<\/em>
\nAnd all manner of things: &<\/em>c<\/p>\n

Then cumulative to:<\/p>\n

And what\u2019ll we do with a Herrin’s fins?
\nWhat\u2019ll we do with a Herrin’s fins<\/em>?
\nYou mak\u2019 them into needles and pins<\/p>\n

[Herrin’s belly, jams and jelly (a color telly)]
\nHerrin’s guts, a pair of boots
\nHerrin’s scales, a ship with sails
\nHerrin’s tail, lousy ale (Newcastle Brown Ale)<\/p>\n

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A version from “Folk-Songs of the Upper Thames, with an essay on folk-song activity in the upper Thames neighbourhood.” Alfred Williams. London: Duckworth & Co. 1923<\/p>\n

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