43 - Herring's Head

Words by Traditional
Tune by Traditional

The herring is the king of the sea,
The herring is the fish for me.
The herring is the king of the sea,
Sing fol-the-rol-diddle-ol-day

Now what’ll I do with the herring’s head?
I’ll make it into a loaf of bread.
I’ll make it into a loaf of bread
And all sorts of things

The herring is the king of the sea…

Now what’ll I do with me herring’s eyes?
I’ll make 'em into puddings and pies,
I’ll make 'em into puddings and pies
And all sorts of things

Herring’s eyes, puddings and pies,
Herring’s heads, loaves of bread
And all sorts of things.

The herring is the king of the sea…

Now what’ll I do with me herring’s fins?
I’ll make 'em into needles and pins,
I’ll make 'em into needles and pins
And all sorts of things.

Herring’s fins, needles and pins,
Herring’s eyes, puddings and pies,
Herring’s heads, loaves of bread
And all sorts of things.

The herring is the king of the sea…

Now what’ll I do with me herring’s back?
I’ll make it into a laddie called Jack,
I’ll make it into a laddie called Jack
And all sorts of things.

Herring’s back, a laddie called Jack,
Herring’s fins, needles and pins, [etc]

The herring is the king of the sea…

Now what’ll I do with me herring’s gills?
I’ll make 'em into window sills,
I’ll make 'em into window sills
And all sorts of things.
Herring’s gills, window sills,
Herring’s back, a laddie called Jack [etc]

The herring is the king of the sea…

Now what’ll I do with me herring’s tail?
I’ll make it into a barrel of ale,
I’ll make it into a barrel of ale
And all sorts of things.

Herring’s tail, a barrel of ale,
Herring’s gills, window sills [etc]

The herring is the king of the sea…