Source: Horntip Collection - Half-Mind Hymnal 2011

Lyrics

There was a young sailor who Looked through the glass, Looked through the glass, Looked through the glass, He spied a young mermaid with scales on her Frightfully clean island where seagulls fly over their nests As she combed the long hair that fell over her Shoulders and caused her to tickle and itch, Yelled a sailor, “Well I’ll be a son of a Beautiful mermaid out there on the rocks” And the crew came a-running, their hands on their Caps while they crowded four deep on the rail All eager to share in this fine piece of Talk which the captain soon heard from the watch So he tied down the wheel and unbottoned his Crackers and cheese which he kept near the door In hopes he might come on a sea-going Happy, he knew he must use all his wits So he called for a line to make fast to her Tail, saying “Boys, we are finally going to find Whether mermaids do better before or Be brave, me good fellows,” the captain next said “And with luck we’ll break through her maiden Heading to starboard,” they tacked with dispatch And caught that fair mermaid right on the Side and immediately hustled her down below decks Where each had a crack at this wonder of Setting her free after each had a pass They tossed her back with a pat on her After a while they all noticed some scabs And soon they broke out with the pox and the Cursing and scratching, you know what I mean This song may be dull, but it’s frightfully clean.