| Version 2 Play/Download Music File Lesley Nelson |
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| This ballad originated in the Orkney Islands. A "silkie" is a supernatural being who lives in the sea. They wear sealskins to travel through the ocean, and take them off when they are on land.
This ballad is Child Ballad #113. In another version of the song the silkie is vulnerable if they loose their sealskins - so the young maiden hides the sealskin and the silkie is killed. The silkie are also called "Finns" and "Selkies." For a complete list of Child Ballads at this site go to Francis J. Child Ballads. |
An earthly nourris sits and sings And as she sings, Ba lilly wean Little ken I, my bairns father Far less the land that he steps in. Then in steps he to her bed fit And a gromly guest I'm sure was he Sang Here am I, thy bairns father Although I be not comely I am a man upon the land And I am a silkie in the sea And when I'm far and far from land My home it is in Sule Skerry Ah, tis not well, the maiden cried Ah, tis not well, alas cried she That the Great Silkie from Sule Skerry Should have come and brought a bairn to me Then he has taken a purse of gold And he has laid it on her knee Saying, git to me, my little young son And take me up thy nouriss-fee. It shall come to pass on a summer's day When the sun shines hot on every stone That I shall take my little young son And teach him for to swim the foam And thou shalt marry a proud gunner And a proud gunner I'm sure he'll be And the very first shot that ever he'll shoot he'll kill both my young son and me. Alas, Alas, the maiden cried This weary fate's been laid for me And then she said and then she said I'll bury me in Sule Skerry. |
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Information and Lyrics From
Colonial and Revolution Songbook See Bibliography for full information. |
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