traditional, tune by Jim Waters
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 one 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.”“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,
I’ll 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.”
guitar– Lui Collins
tenor guitar– Bill Lauf,Jr.
English concertina– Guy Wolff
vocal hamony– Guy Wolff