SULE SKERRY
(Barbara Dickson / Kevin McAlea)

recorded by Barbara Dixon


AN earthly nooris sits and spins
And aye she sings ba lilley wain,
Sayin' little ken I my bairn's father,
Far less the land that he bides in!

And he was there at her bedfoot
And a grumlie guest,I'm sure, was he,
Sayin', "Here am I Thy bairn's father,
Although I be not comely"

I am a man upon the land
And I am a Silkie in the sea,
But when I'm far and far frae land
My home it is in Sule Skerry.

Then he's ta'en oot a purse o' gold
And he has thrown upon her knee,
Sayin', "Gi tae me my bonny wee son
And tak' thee up thy nooris fee!"

But it'll come to pass on a summer's day
When the sun shines bright on every stane,
That I'll come and tak' my bonny wee son
And teach him how to swim the fame.

And you shall marry a gunner good
And a proud gunner I'm sure he'll be!
But the very first shot that e'er he fires,
He'll kill both your young son and me!

I am a man upon the land
And I am a Silkie in the sea,
But when I'm far and far frae land
My home it is in Sule Skerry.




(Transcribed by Peter Akers - February 2021)