The Mermaid And The Seagull Lyrics - 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, said "Come 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 you 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.