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