"When the boat comes in" is originally a traditional English folk song, also known as "Dance Ti Thy Daddy," which dates back to around 1826. The phrase is also widely recognized as the title of a British television period drama produced by the BBC that aired from 1976 to 1981. The TV series is set in northeast England between the two World Wars, following the life of ex- sergeant Jack Ford and his interactions with the community as they navigate post-war struggles. The theme song of the series is an adaptation of the traditional folk song "When the Boat Comes In".
The phrase "when the boat comes in" is often metaphorical, meaning the time when good things or prosperity arrive, inspired by the idea of a fishing boat returning to harbor with a catch. The TV series uses this as a motif for hope and recovery after hardship.
If the query is about the literal timing of a boat's arrival, that would depend on specific boat schedules or contexts not provided here.
