Caller Herrin'

"Caller Herrin'" is a Scottish song, the music by Nathaniel Gow (1763–1831), and the words by Carolina Nairne (1766–1845).

"Caller herrin'" means fresh herring.

Gow, a violinist and bandleader of Edinburgh, incorporated this cry, and also the bells of St Andrew's Church, into his composition, written about 1798.

Attending balls in country houses of Perthshire, she heard the music of Nathaniel Gow, and wrote words for "Caller Herrin'".

Philip Knapton composed a set of variations of the tune, for piano or harp, which appeared in 1820 and became popular.

Newhaven fishergirls pose with a creel . Photograph by Hill & Adamson , 1840s.
Sir John Everett Millais : Caller Herrin' , 1881