Great Selchie Of Skerry - Judy Collins

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 livin' in

Then there arose at her bed feet

And a grumbly guest

I’m sure it 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 selchie in the sea

And when I am in my own country

My dwellin' 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’ll bev And he’ll go out on a May morning

And he’ll kill both my wee son and me

And lo, she did marry a gunner good

And a proud 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 selchie