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.
The song originates from a verse in another, called Rheolau yr Aelwyd or Rules of the Home by Mynyddog.
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.
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- 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”.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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.