Silkie

Irish Harp and Voice: Barbary
Concertina: Dan Bienenfeld
Cello: Greg Adamson

1. An earthly nourris sits and sings
And aye she sings “Balily wean”
“Little ken I my bairn’s father
Far less the land that he dwells in.”

2. Then in steps he to her bedfeet
And a grumbly guest I’m sure was he
Sayin’ “Here am I, thy bairn’s father
Although I be not comely.”

3. “I am a man upon dry land
I am a silkie in the sea
And when I’m far and far from land
My home it is in Sule Skerry.”

4. Then he has taken a purse of gold
He has placed it on her knee
Sayin’ “Give to me my little young son
And take thee up thy nourris fee”

5. “And it shall come to pass on a summer’s day
When the sun shines hot on every stone
I’ll come to fetch my little young son
And will teach him for to swim the foam.”

6. “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.”

7. “Alas, alas” cried the maiden fair
“This weary fate’s been laid for me”
Then she said, and then she said
“I’ll bury me in Sule Skerry.”

SCOTLAND