Daljit Nagra

Singh Song!

Suggests long, mundane working day

Childish language suggests his father still has control over his life

Rebels against his father’s rules – takes control of his own life.

I run just one ov my daddy’s shops

from 9 o’clock to 9 o’clock

and he vunt me not to hav a break

But ven nobody in, I do di lock

Unusual image of love-making creates humour

Poor grammar – shows he’s still getting used to the English languageRepetition emphasises

the couples unity

cos up di stairs is my newly bride

vee share in chapatti

vee share in di chutney

after vee hav made luv

like vee rowing through Putney -

Exaggeration creates humour and highlights the contrast between the unreliable narrator and his careful father

Sounds like a chorus of voices, emphasised by phonetic speech.

Disregards the rules of the shop – distracted by love. A comical image of rebellion

Ven I return vid my pinnie untied di shoppers always point to cry:Hey singh, ver yoo bin?Yor lemons are limesyor bananas are plantain,dis dirty little floor need a little bit of mopin di worst Indian shopon di whole Indian road -

Suggests that his wife runs a dating agency – modern approach to relationships

His new bride is glamorous, linked to a new generation that’s embracing Western culture.

Above my head high heel tap di ground

as my vife on di web is playing with di mouse

ven she netting two cat on her Sikh lover site

she book dem for di meat at di cheese ov her price-

Lively language suggests he finds his wife’s swearing funny

Shows his wife has a sense of humour – he doesn’t mind her poking fun at his parents

Repetition suggests he’s proud of his new wife and can’t stop thinking about her

my bride

she effing at my mum

in all di colours of Punjabi

den stumble like a drunk

making fun at my daddy

Repetition shows he’s proud of his new wife and can’t stop thinking about her

Wife described as both dangerous and cute- she’s a combination of lots of different things

Her clothes are a mixture of British and Indian culture – she embodies both

my bride

tiny eyes ov a gun

and di tummy ov a teddy

my bride

she hav a red crew cut

and she wear a Tartan sari

a donkey jacket and some pumps

on di squek ov di girls dat are pinching my sweeties-

He’s a terrible shopkeeper but the complaints sound quite playful because they’re written phonetically.

Suggests relationship is affectionate and carefree

Ven I return from di tickle ov my bride

di shoppers always point and cry:

Hey singh, ver yoo bin?

Di milk is out ov daye

and di bread is alvays stale,

di tings yoo hav on offer yoo hav never got in stock

in di worst Indian shop

on di whole Indian road -

Makes Britain sound exotic and exciting.

Money imagery contrasts with romantic descriptions of beaches in the moonlight.

Sudden moment of calm shows the couple are alone. Contrasts with all the voices of the chorus.

Late in di midnight hour

ven yoo shoppers are wrap up quiet

ven di precinct is concrete-cool

vee cum down whispering stairs

and sit on my silver stool,

from behind di chocolate bars

vee stare past di half-price window signs

at di beaches ov di uk in di brightey moon-

Thinks in terms of money again – poem isn’t overly sentimental about love

from di stool each night she say

how much do yoo charge for dat moon baby

from di stool each night I say

is half di cost ov you baby

Poem left hanging after final word – looks to the possibility of the future

Repetition makes the couple’s conversation sound rhythmic and song-like.

From di stool each night she say,

How much does dat come to baby

from di stool each night I say,

Is priceless baby-

Questions

• What is the poem about?

• What can you tell me about the form of the poem?

• What can you identify as the structure?

• List any humorous description / phonetic Indian English?

• What feelings and attitudes can you identify?

Questions• You need to come up with your own ideas about

the poem, to help you answer the following;• 1) Do you think the title of the poem is effective?

Why?• 2) What does the poem suggest about modern

marriage?• 3) What is the narrator’s attitude towards

balancing his marriage and work?• 4) Do you think the narrator seems happy in the

poem ? Why?

Form

• Definition –

• The type of poem e.g. sonnet, ballad, and its features e.g. rhyme scheme, rhythm

Form

• The poet uses some rhymes to give the poem a light hearted tone.

• As well as the narrator’s voice, it features the voices of his wife and the customers he ignores, showing how he fits into the community.

• It’s like a song with verses and a chorus which makes it sound lively and rhythmic.

Structure

• The order of ideas and events, e.g. how the poem begins, develops and ends.

Structure

• The poem alternates between descriptions or the narrator’s marriage and his customers’ complaints.

• The repeated choruses emphasise how often he neglects his work.

Phonetic Indian English

• Voices in the poem combine Indian and English words and accents, sometimes creating new words.

• This shows the influence of both cultures on the people in the poem.

Best Comparisons

• ‘Les Grands Seigneurs’

• ‘Medusa’