The Mermaid- Wease (WV) pre1970 Gainer
[From Folk Songs from the West Virginia Hills, by Patrick Gainer 1970.]
THE MERMAID
(CHILD 289, "THE MERMAID")
This ballad is rare in West Virgina tradition. Details of the story are lacking, but in the first stanza there are two ornens that predict the sinking of the ship: the beginning of the uoyage on Friday, and the sighting of a mermaid. Both of these are bad omens. Sung by Dennis Wease, Calhoun County.
1. Oh, last Friday morn as we set sail,
And not far away from land,
The captain he spied a fair mermaid,
with comb and glass in her hand.
2 O the storm and the winds do blow, blow, blow,
O the raging winds do roar,
And us three sailors a-climbing to the top,
And the landmen a-lying below.
3 The first came up was the captain bold,
And a jolly old man was he.
"O this very night in merry Engalond,
A wife is waiting for me."
4 The next came up was the ship's little boy,
A fine little boy was he.
"O this very night in merry Engalond
A mother is waiting for me."
5 The next came up was a greasy, greasy cook,
A greasy old cook was he.
"I care more for the kettles and the pots
Than I do for the roaring of the sea."
6 The next came up was a seaman bold,
A bold seaman was he.
"For the want of a boat we shall all be drowned
And sunk in the salt, salt sea."
7 Then round and round went the gallant ship,
Three times around went she,
And the very last time she turned around
She sank in the salt, salt sea.