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> Leon Rosselson > Songs > Dance to Your Daddy
> Nic Jones > Songs > Dance to Your Daddy

Dance to Your Daddy

[ Roud 2439 ; Ballad Index FSWB409 ; trad.]

Shirley Collins sang this children's song on her 1964 Collector EP English Songs Vol. 2. This recording was also included in her 4 CD anthology Within Sound.

Roy & Val Bailey with Leon Rosselson sang it in 1968 on their album of children's songs, Oats & Beans & Kangaroos.

And Nic Jones recorded Dance to Your Daddy in 1971 for his eponymous second album, Nic Jones. He commented in the album notes:

Like a lot of other people, I learnt to dislike this song at school, along with Oh, No John and The Nightingale. Far more appealing were Rock Around the Clock and Peggy Sue. This could be classed as a re-assessment of the song.

Lyrics

Nic Jones sings Dance to Your Daddy

Dance to your daddy, my little laddie,
Dance to your daddy, my little man.
Dance to your daddy, my little laddie,
Dance to your daddy, my little man.

You shall have a fish and you shall have a fin,
You shall have a herring when the boat comes in.
Dance to your daddy, my little laddie,
Dance to your daddy, my little man.

When you are a man and fit to take a wife,
You shall have a lassie; love her all your life.
Dance to your daddy, my little laddie,
Dance to your daddy, my little man.

She will be a lassie; you will be a man;
You shall have a family; love them all you can.
Dance to your daddy, my little laddie,
Dance to your daddy, my little man.

(repeat first verse)