“The Singin' Hinnie”
Description
"Sit doon, noo, man alive! Te tell ye aa'll contrive O' the finest thing the worl' hes ivver gin ye, O. It's not fine claes nor drink, Now owt 'at ye can think Can had a cannle up ti singin'-hinney, O." The song tells how the singin' hinnie shapes lives
Notes
The title of this song is given as "The Singin' Hinnie," but references in the text call it a "Singin' Hinney."
I will admit that I'm truly not sure what this is about. Normally, a "singing hinnie (honey)" would be a musical loved one, but I have this funny feeling it refers to a piece of machinery -- probably a steam-powered pump or elevator.
Fortunately, we don't really have to figure it out; it appears this song has never been found in oral tradition. - RBW
References
- Stokoe/Reay, pp. 172-173, "The Singin' Hinnie" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Roud #2618
- BI, StoR172