Meaning
People blame outside things for their own failings and shortcomings — a poor workman blames his tools. The one who can't dance faults the music instead of admitting their own lack of skill. A proverb that pokes at those who never take responsibility, always finding an excuse in circumstances rather than looking at themselves.
Examples
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Him fail an blame di teacha — if yuh cyaan dance, yuh blame di music.
He failed and blamed the teacher — people fault everything but themselves.
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Stop mek excuse; if yuh cyaan dance, yuh blame di music.
Stop making excuses; a poor workman blames his tools.
Origin
A traditional proverb; the poor dancer blames the music. See Finger never seh 'look here', it seh 'look yonder'.
How it’s used
People blame circumstances for their own failings. See Finger never seh 'look here', it seh 'look yonder'.