Sosban Fach means Little Saucepan in English
Sosban Fach
Sosban Fach is Welsh for Little Saucepan. “fach” is a mutation of “bach”, meaning small. Sometimes it is mistakenly spelt Sospan Fach. Sosban Fach is a traditional Welsh song, used by some as a nursery rhyme or song to sing their children to sleep, sung for camaraderie at rugby matches, and used by choirs to practice harmony.
A little saucepan full of life
Written in the 19th century; a new folk tradition.
Sosban Fach is a well-known Welsh folk song that’s full of humour, everyday life, and a mild touch of chaos. It was written in the late 19th century and has become a favourite across Wales — especially at rugby matches and community sing-alongs.
The words to Sosban Fach are most often credited to Richard Davies (known as Mynyddog, a popular Welsh poet) and D. P. Evans, a musician and schoolteacher. Mynyddog is believed to have written the original poem, and D. P. Evans set the poem to music. Over time, the song became part of Welsh folk tradition and took on a life of its own.
Sosban Fach Lyrics
English
Mary-Ann has hurt her finger,
And David the servant is not well.
The baby in the cradle is crying,
And the cat has scratched little Johnny.
A little saucepan is boiling on the fire,
A big saucepan is boiling on the floor,
And the cat has scratched little Johnny.
Little Dai the soldier,
Little Dai the soldier,
Little Dai the soldier,
And his shirt tail is hanging out.
Mary-Ann’s finger has got better,
And David the servant is in his grave;
The baby in the cradle has grown up,
And the cat is “asleep in peace”.
A little saucepan is boiling on the fire,
A big saucepan is boiling on the floor,
And the cat is “asleep in peace”.
Little Dai the soldier,
Little Dai the soldier,
Little Dai the soldier,
And his shirt tail is hanging out.
Old Mary Jones went to the fair in Caerau,
To buy a tea set;
But Mary and her teacups ended up in a ditch,
By drinking rather too much “tea”.
A little saucepan is boiling on the fire,
A big saucepan is boiling on the floor,
And the cat is “asleep in peace”.
Welsh
Mae bys Meri-Ann wedi brifo,
A Dafydd y gwas ddim yn iach.
Mae’r baban yn y crud yn crio,
A’r gath wedi sgramo Joni bach.
Sosban fach yn berwi ar y tân,
Sosban fawr yn berwi ar y llawr,
A’r gath wedi sgramo Joni bach.
Dai bach y soldiwr,
Dai bach y soldiwr,
Dai bach y soldiwr,
A chwt ei grys e mas.
Mae bys Meri-Ann wedi gwella,
A Dafydd y gwas yn ei fedd;
Mae’r baban yn y crud wedi tyfu,
A’r gath wedi huno mewn hedd.
Sosban fach yn berwi ar y tân,
Sosban fawr yn berwi ar y llawr,
A’r gath wedi huno mewn hedd.
Dai bach y sowldiwr,
Dai bach y sowldiwr,
Dai bach y sowldiwr,
A chwt ei grys e mas.
Aeth hen Fari Jones i Ffair y Caerau,
I brynu set o lestri de;
Ond mynd i’r ffos aeth Mari gyda’i llestri,
Trwy yfed gormod lawer iawn o “de”.
Sosban fach yn berwi ar y tân,
Sosban fawr yn berwi ar y llawr,
A’r gath wedi huno mewn hedd.
Sosban Fach Resources
The lyrics tell a funny and slightly frantic story of a person dealing with everyday troubles at home like a baby crying, a woman burning her fingers, water boiling over, and a leaky saucepan! It’s a mix of light-hearted nonsense and relatable stress, told with a wink and a smile. Even though things are going wrong, the song is upbeat and catchy.
Resources related to Sosban Fach
Resources
