Silkie

An ear[G]th[D]ly nur[F]se[C] sits and sings  [G]    [D]
And aye, she sings by [F]li[C]ly wean -      [G]        [D]
And lit[C]tl[G]e ken I [G]my[D] ba[F]ir[C]n's father [G]   [D]
Far le[F]ss[C] th[Am]e l[Em]and where he[Dm] dw[Am]ells[G] i[D]n

An earthly nurse sits and sings
And aye, she sings by lily wean -
And little ken I my bairn's father
Far less the land where he dwells in

For he came on night to her bed feet
And a grumbly guest, I'm sure was he
Saying - Here am I, thy bairn's father
Although I be not comely

I am a man upon the land
I am a silkie on the sea
And when I'm far and far frae land
My home it is in Sule Skerrie

And he had ta'en a purse of gold
And he had placed it upon her knee
Saying - Give to me my little young son
And take thee up thy nurse's fee

And it shall come to pass on a summer's day
When the sun shines bright on every stane
I'll come and fetch my little young son
And teach him how to swim the faem

And ye shall marry a gunner good
And a right fine gunner I'm sure he'll be
And the very first shot that e'er he shoots
Will kill both my young son and me