lyrics for The Selkie

The Selkie

When I was rowing my currach one day
I spied a selkie in the sea
He winked and he smiled and he nodded at me
As if inviting me to swim with him
As if inviting me to swim

His hair was black as the dark night sky
His lips were full and red
He winked and he smiled and he nodded at me
As if inviting me to swim with him
As if inviting me to swim

Oh he was handsome, he was wild
I knew my mother would not agree
But I stole his skin and I took him in
And now I’ve the selkie’s baby with me
And now I’ve the selkie’s baby

Oh he stayed with me for one long year
I was as happy as could be
But sorrow filled his heart; I knew that we must part
For his heart belonged to the sea, not me
For his heart belonged to the sea

A year and a day from the hour we wed
I returned his skin to him
He winked and he smiled and he nodded at me
As if inviting me to live with him
As if inviting me to live

I shook my head right sorrowfully
For I knew we were not met to be
For I belonged right here on the ground
And he belonged in the sea
Oh he belonged in the sea

Now I go down each day to the sea
With my harp upon my knee
I play and I play and I play love songs
For my darling, my darling selkie
For my darling, my darling selkie

©2003 Rita Nauman