Cécile Corbel

An earthly nurse sits and sings
And aye she sings by lily wean
Saying, “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"