The Mermaid

Synopsis:

In this song "The Mermaid," the mermaid is
identified with the Water Kelpie and
the Elf. She decoys a knight
to his destruction.

Ballad:
 

To yon fause stream that, near the sea,

Hides mony an elf and plum,

And rives wi' fearful din the stanes,

A witless knicht did come.

The day shines clear--far in he's gane

Whar shells are silver bright,

Fishes war loupin' a' aroun',

And sparklin' to the light.

Whan, as he laved, sounds cam sae sweet

Frae ilka rock an' tree;

The brief was out, 'twas him it doomed

The mermaid's face to see.

Frae 'neath a rock, sune, sune she rose,

And stately on she swam,

Stopped i' the midst, and becked and sang

To him to stretch his han'.

Gowden glist the yellow links

That round her neck she'd twine;

Her een war o' the skyie blue,

Her lips did mock the wine;

The smile upon her bonnie cheek

Was sweeter than the bee;

Her voice excelled the birdie's sang

Upon the birchen tree.

Sae couthie, couthie did she look,

And meikle had she fleeched;

Out shot his hand--alas! alas!

Fast in the swirl he screeched.

The mermaid leuch, her brief was gane,

And kelpie's blast was blawin',

Fu' low she duked, ne'er raise again,

For deep, deep was the fawin'.

Aboon the stream his wraith was seen,

Warlochs tirled lang at gloamin';

That e'en was coarse, the blast blew hoarse,

Ere lang the waves war foamin'.