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The Fisherman's Song

from A Twist in the Story by Anne Lister

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about

Based on a folk tale from North Wales, in which the mermaid falls in love with the singing of the (Welsh) fisherman.

lyrics

He sailed his boat across the blue
He sailed his boat across the green
Until he came to where no birds flew
And he saw things no man has seen.

What do you sing, fisherman, what do you sing
For I have waited my whole life long
I’ll bring you pearls and a golden ring
I’d give up my world to learn your song.

They say a mermaid can sing so sweet
You’d dive from the air into waters cold
The ocean floor beneath your feet
You’d give up your family and sell your soul.

But as she listened to what he sang
She felt caught fast in his net
She left the ocean to walk on land
Love held them tight from the day they met.

What do you sing, fisherman, what do you sing
For I have waited my whole life long
I’ll bring you pearls and a golden ring
I’d give up my world to learn your song.

What they did then is told in tales
Their life, their children and their bliss
One sunny day they both set sail
Were never seen from that day to this

I know the magic of the singing land
Songs from sunset and day break
But the fisherman’s song brought the mermaid’s hand
Gave them both hearts no man could break.

What do you sing, fisherman, what do you sing
For I have waited my whole life long
I’ll bring you pearls and a golden ring
I’d give up my world to learn your song.

Now I’m no mermaid, and you’ve no boat
And we have never sailed across the sea
But we have love enough to stay afloat
And music sings between you and me.

credits

from A Twist in the Story, released April 29, 2022
Mike O'Connor - fiddle and concertina
Jacey Bedford - harmonies.

license

all rights reserved

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Anne Lister Wales, UK

Anne is best known for her song "Icarus", recorded and performed by a number of different singers, including Martin Simpson and Nic Jones. "Astrolabe" is her ninth solo album.

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