The Mermaid And The Seagull - Ralph McTell

Listening to you 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’s 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 the 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, «Sing me a song

And I’ll stop the band from playing»

I was pleased and played with ease

To the mermaids 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 rather 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