Chords with lyrics
Joan Baez, on Joan Baez Vol.2, Vanguard 79595-2 and on The Joan Baez Ballad Book,
ed.
Italiana Orizzonte, Ricordi, AORL 28344, first released on Joan Baez Vol.2, Vanguard
1961.
Tune: the one composed by James Waters in the late 1950s.
Chords (from the Joan Baez Songbook)
D MajorD)
An earthly nurse sits and sings
D MajorD)
And aye, she sings by lily wean -
D MajorD)
And little ken I my bairn's father
D MajorD)
Far less the land where he dwells in
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 on 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
And 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
And 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