I am a man upon the land I am a silkie in the sea And when I'm far and free from land My dwelling is the Sule Skerry An earthly maiden sits and sings E'er she sings by lily wean Little Ken I, my bairn's father Find far less the land that he steps in Then Ane arose at her bed-feet And a grumbly guest, I'm sure was he Here I am, thy bairn's father Although I be not comely This is not well, quoth the maiden fair This is not well indeed, quoth she That the Great Silke of Sule Skerry Should come and aught a bairn with me So he has ta'en a purse of gold He has put it on her knee Saying, "Give to me my little young son And take thee up thy nurse breast's fee" ♪ And it shall come to pass on a summer day When the sun shines hot on every stone I will take my little young son And teach him for to swim, the foam And you shall marry a proud gunner And a proud gunner I'm sure he'll be And the very first fish that e'er he shoots He'll shoot both my young son and me I am a man upon the land And I am a silkie in the sea When I'm far and free from land My dwelling is the Sule Skerry Skerry Skerry Skerry