Chords (from the Joan Baez Songbook)
      G( D5 )    F( C5 )               G( D5 )
An earthly nurse sits and sings
                      F( C5 )             G( D5 )
And aye, she sings by lily wean -
       C( G5 )      G( D5 ) F( C5 )         G( D5 )
And little ken I my bairn's father
      F( C5 ) Am( E5 )         Dm( A5 ) G( D5 )
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
Will kill both my young son and me