The Mermaid- Smith (NS) pre1950 Creighton
[From Traditional Songs from Nova Scotia; Creighton and Senior 1950. Similar to college songbook version with the repeating last line as found in Child B, C, and D.
R Matteson 2014]
Notes: Contributed, by Earl B. Smith, Lower Clark's Harbour, Shelburne County. He writes: "This song, based on the old superstition that it was unlucky !o see a mermaid combing her hair, has several variations of tune and chorus, but this is the old version as sung by the fishermen of Cape Sable Island.
The Mermaid- Sung by Earl Smith
Melody transcribed by Margaret Sargent [music upcoming]
'Twas Friday morn when we set sail
And we sailed not far from the land
When our Captain espied a lovely mermaid
With comb and a glass in her hand.
Oh, the ocean waves may roll
And the stormy winds may blow.
While we jolly sailors go skipping to the tops,
And the land lubbers lie down below, below, below,
And the land lubbers lie down below.
Then out spake the captain of our gallant ship
Who at once did the peril see,
"I have married a wife in fair London town
And this night she a widow will be. " Cho.
Then out spake the cook of our gallant ship
And a fine old cook was he,
"I care much more for my pots and my pans
Than I do for the bottom of the sea. " Cho.
Then out spake the cabin boy of our gallant ship,
A fair-haired lad was he,
"I've a father and mother in fair London Town
And this night they'll be weeping for me." Cho.
Then three times round went our gallant ship,
And three times round went she,
Oh three times round went our gallant ship
And she sank to the bottom of the sea. Cho.