False Mermaid

It seems you’ve faded away and abandoned the love of life

The snow is spread about at the mouth of the sea

Your yellow flowing hair and little gentle mouth

We give you Mary Heaney who has swum across the Erne.

“My faithful mother,” said fair Mary

By the edge of the shore and the mouth of the sea

“A mermaid is my noble mother”

We give you Mary Heaney who has swum across the Erne.

I am tired and will be until dawn

My bright-breasted Mary and my blond Patrick

On top of the waves and by the mouth of the sea

We give you Mary Heaney who has swum across the Erne.

The night is dark and the wind is ill

The Plough can be seen high in the sky

But on top of the waves and by the mouth of the sea

We give you Mary Heaney who has swum across the Erne.