Author: Sanford R. Bender

*Oh, the stormy winds do blow

With the landlubbers down below,

And the sailor-men a-climbing to the top

To haul in the riggin’-o.

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“Twas Sunday night, our sails were set,

We hardly cleared the land-o,

When we spied a mermaid-a-swimmin’ by,

A comb and a glass in her hand-o.

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The captain plumbed with a lead and a line,

He plumbed for to reach the sand-o,

While the wind and the waves did toss and roar,

We knew we’d never see land-o.

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Then three times ’round went our gallant ship.

And three times more went she,

And the mate and the cabin boy said goodbye

As we sank in the salt, salt sea,

As we sank in the salt, salt sea.

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*Traditional ballad called “The Mermaid” was ccollected and compiled as No. 62 B by John Jacob Niles. Original musical arangement was composed for voice, concertina, clarinet, and guitar and performed by Sanford Ross Bender.