The great Selkie

An earthly nurse sits and sings

And aye she sings by lily wean

Saying, “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"



"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 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"



"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"