Great Silkie Of Sules Skerry - Maddy Prior

An earthly nourris sits and sings

And aye she sings 'Ba lily wain

And little ken I my bairn’s father

Far less the land that he dwells in'

Then one arose at her bedfoot

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 Sules Skerry

And he has ta’en a purse of gold

And he has 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 tae pass on a summer’s day

When the sun shines bright on every stone

I’ll come and fetch my little young son

And teach him how to swim the foam

And you, you shall marry a pround gunner

And a proud gunner I’m sure he’ll be

But the very first shot that e’er he shoots

He’ll kill both my young son and me