The Mermaid and the Seagull

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. --- The Mermaid and the Seagull - Ralph McTell