The Mermaid Song
words and music
Traditional Twas
Friday morn when we set sail And we were not far from the land When
the captain, he spied a lovely mermaid With a comb and a glass in her hand
O the ocean's
waves will roll And the stormy winds will blow While we poor sailors
go skipping to the top And the landlubbers lie down below (below, below)
And the landlubbers lie down below And
up spoke the captain of our gallant ship And a well-spoken man was he
I have me a wife in Salem by the sea And tonight she a widow will be And
up spoke the cookie of our gallant ship And a red hot cookie was he
Saying I care much more for my pots and my pans Than I do for the bottom
of the sea Then
up spoke the cabinboy, of our gallant ship And a nasty little lad was he.
I'm not quite sure I can spell "mermaid" But I'm going to
the bottom of the sea. Then
three times around went our gallant ship And three times around went she
Three times around went our gallant ship And she sank to the bottom
of the sea KEY
G verse:
G G C C C D7 G G G C C C D7 G
chorus:
G G G G G G D7 D7 G
G C C C D7 G
Background: This seems to be one of the most popular songs sung at Renaissance festivals. It's loved by Rennies and a favorite for our home faire's (Excalibur Fantasy Faire) pub sing. I first remember hearing this song in 1999, when we played at the West Texas Renaissance Faire. I was adamant against playing any 'popular' or more appropriately, 'over done' Ren faire songs.
That was cured with time. Now these songs are some of my favorite. I love seeing the wenches line up and dance along. I love the shouting at the end. I love the parody performed by Celtic Cleavage! ;) The song has gotten better and better, and I think we have finally made the song our own with a very unique sea-worthy sound, and some fun anachronistic additions, because that's what makes Faire so much fun!
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