There sits a maid down by the sea strand,
And “Hush-a-lu-lay” this maid began,
“And little know I my baby’s father
Far less the land that he dwells in.”

Oh he came one night to her bed feet
And a grumbly guest I’m sure was he,
Saying, “Here I am, thy baby’s father,
Although I be not comely.

“I am a man upon dry land.
I am a Silkie on the sea
And when I’m far from any strand,
My dwelling is in Sule Skerrie.”

And he has taken a chain of gold,
And he has placed it on her knee,
Saying “Give to me my little young son
And take thee up thy nursing fee.

“And you shall marry a gunner good,
And a very fine gunner, I’m sure he’ll be,
And the very first shot that e’er he fires
Will kill both my young son & me.”

And she has married a gunner good,
And a very fine gunner, it was he.
And he went out on a May morning
And he shot both the son and the Great Silkie.