The Great Silkie

In Norway, there sits a maid
By lou, my baby, she begins
Little know I my child's father
Or if land or sea he's living in

Then there arose at her bed feet
And a grumbly guest, I'm sure was he
Saying here am I thy child's father
Although that I am not comely

I am a man upon the land
I am a silkie in the sea
And when I am in my own country
My dwelling is in Shule Skerry

And he hath taken a purse of gold
He hath put it upon her knee
Saying give to me my little wee son
And take thee up thy nurse's fee

And it shall come to pass on a summer day
When the sun shines hot on every stone
That I shall take my little wee son
And I'll teach him for to swim in the foam

And you will marry a gunner good
And a proud good gunner I'm sure he will be
And the very first shot that ere he will shoot
He'll kill both my wee son and me

And she did marry a gunner good
And a fine good gunner I'm sure it was he
And the very first shot that ere he did shoot
He killed the son and the great silkie

In Norway, there sits a maid
By lou, my baby, she begins
Little know I my child's father
Or if land or sea he's living in