Singh Song!

"Singh Song" by Daljit Nagra

Context

• Daljit Nagra is a contemporary British poet of Indian descent. "Singh Song!" was published in his 2007 collection "Look We Have Coming to Dover!" which explores themes of immigration, identity, and cultural fusion. The poem reflects the humorous and affectionate portrayal of a British-Indian shopkeeper's life, highlighting the challenges and joys of navigating multiple identities.

The Poem

I run just one ov my daddy's shops

← Colloquial Language

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 -

cos up di stairs is my newly bride

vee share in chapatti

← Imagery

vee share in di chutney

after vee hav made luv

like vee rowing through Putney -

Ven I return vid my pinnie untied

di shoppers always point and cry:

Hey Singh, ver yoo bin?

Yor lemons are limes

← Humour

yor bananas are plantain,

dis dirty little floor need a little bit of mop

in di worst Indian shop

on di whole Indian road -

Above my head high heel tap di ground

as my vife on di web is playing wid di mouse

ven she netting two cat on her Sikh lover site

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

my bride

← Repetition

she effing at my mum

in all di colours of Punjabi

den stumble like a drunk

making fun at my daddy

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 squeak ov di girls dat are pinching my sweeties -

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 date

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.

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 -

from di stool each night she say,

How much do yoo charge for dat moon baby?

← Metaphor

from di stool each night I say,

Is half di cost ov yoo baby,

from di stool each night she say,

How much does dat come to baby?

from di stool each night I say,

Is priceless baby -

← Metaphor

5 quotes + analysis to achieve a grade 9

1. Language Device = Colloquial Language. "I run just one ov my daddy's shops / from 9 o'clock to 9 o'clock"

• Analysis: The use of phonetic spelling and colloquial language reflects the speaker's cultural background and adds authenticity to his voice. This creates a personal and engaging tone, making the speaker's experience relatable and vivid.

2. Language Device = Imagery. "vee share in chapatti / vee share in di chutney"

• Analysis: The imagery of sharing food, "chapatti" and "chutney," symbolizes the intimacy and affection in the speaker's relationship with his bride. This highlights the cultural traditions and the warmth of their bond.

3. Language Device = Humour. "Yor lemons are limes / yor bananas are plantain"

• Analysis: The humorous complaints of the shoppers reflect the speaker's neglect of his shop duties due to his love life. This adds a light-hearted and affectionate tone to the poem, highlighting the playful nature of the speaker's relationship with his bride.

4. Language Device = Repetition. "my bride / she effing at my mum"

• Analysis: The repetition of "my bride" emphasises her bold and lively personality. This highlights the cultural vibrancy she brings into the speaker's life, creating a dynamic and spirited portrayal of their relationship.

5. Language Device = Metaphor. "How much do yoo charge for dat moon baby? / Is priceless baby"

• Analysis: The metaphor of the moon being "priceless" underscores the depth of love and admiration the speaker has for his bride. This metaphor highlights the romantic and affectionate nature of their relationship, suggesting that their love is beyond material value.

Form & Structure Points to Mention for Top Grades

• Dramatic Monologue: The poem is a dramatic monologue, which allows the speaker to convey his thoughts and feelings directly to the reader.
  • Effect: This form creates an intimate and personal tone, allowing the reader to engage closely with the speaker's experiences and emotions.
• Rhyme and Rhythm: The poem uses a playful rhyme scheme and rhythmic patterns.
  • Effect: The lively rhyme and rhythm reflect the energetic and humorous tone of the poem, enhancing the light-hearted portrayal of the speaker's relationship with his bride.
• Refrain: The repeated questioning by the shoppers acts as a refrain throughout the poem.
  • Effect: This refrain emphasises the ongoing tension between the speaker's responsibilities and his personal life, highlighting the humorous and affectionate nature of the poem.

Example Paragraph for a Grade 9 Answer:

In "Singh Song!" Daljit Nagra presents cultural identity and personal relationships through the humorous and affectionate portrayal of a British-Indian shopkeeper's life. The poem opens with the speaker describing his daily routine, "I run just one ov my daddy's shops / from 9 o'clock to 9 o'clock," using phonetic spelling and colloquial language to reflect his cultural background. The playful repetition and imagery, "vee share in chapatti / vee share in di chutney," highlight the intimacy and joy in his marriage. The interactions with shoppers, "Hey Singh, ver yoo bin? / Yor lemons are limes / yor bananas are plantain," add humour and illustrate the community's expectations. The vibrant portrayal of the bride, "she effing at my mum / in all di colours of Punjabi," showcases her bold personality and cultural vibrancy. Through these literary devices, Nagra effectively captures the complexities of navigating cultural identity and personal relationships, blending humour with poignant insights into the speaker's life.