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        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