MERMAID AND THE SEAGULL, THE   

Ralph McTell

Listening to your idle talk 
Smoke rising to the ceiling 
The words just seem to float on by 
Maybe you've had the feeling 
Then looking into my empty glass 
I noticed the bar clock was ten minutes fast 
My beer was gone, and my money spent, 
And I think it's about time that I went. 

I went walking along the main road 
How can they call it High Street? 
I said "Hello" to a face I know 
But he had someone to meet. 
Then I noticed that the sea was coming in 
I almost felt like taking a swim, 
But the sea gets wild so I've been told 
And anyway it was much too cold. 

I buttoned my coat up to my chin 
Went walking along the sand 
I thought I heard a mermaid sing 
To the sound of a big brass band. 
A seagull offered me a ride 
And so as not to hurt his pride 
I said I wasn't going far 
And I let him carry my guitar. 

Then along come a mermaid said "Sing me a song, 
And I'll stop the band from playing". 
I was pleased and played with ease 
To the mermaid's gentle swaying. 
I must've stayed there for an hour or two 
The seagull said he'd have to go 
And the mermaid said that she'd like to hear more 
But she left me standing on the shore. 

The sun was bathing in the sea 
Right on the water line. 
I shouted "Goodbye", but he didn't reply
I know he had no time. 
Even my footprints had disappeared 
And as for the road I steered 
Out from the sea there come a sigh 
I think my mermaid said "Goodbye". 

And I'm listening to your idle talk 
Smoke rising to the ceiling 
And I'm watching the words go floating by 
Maybe you've had the feeling. 
Maybe you've had the feeling.