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, 'twas 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 taen oot a purse o' gold
And he has thrown it upon her knee
Sayin' gi tae me my bonny wee son

And tak' thee up thy nooris fee

For 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 ever 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