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Silkie

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Gmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Joan Baez, on Joan Baez Vol.2, Vanguard 79595-2 and on The Joan Baez Ballad Book, 
ed.
Italiana Orizzonte, Ricordi, AORL 28344, first released on Joan Baez Vol.2, Vanguard 
1961.
Tune: the one composed by James Waters in the late 1950s.
Chords (from the Joan Baez Songbook)
      G(D)    F(C)               G(D)
An earthly nurse sits and sings
                      F(C)             G(D)
And aye, she sings by lily wean -
       C(G)      G(D) F(C)         G(D)
And little ken I my bairn's father
      F(C) Am(Em)         Dm(Am) G(D)
Far less the land where he dwells in
An earthly nurse sits and sings
And aye, she sings by lily wean -
And little ken I my bairn's father
Far less the land where he dwells in
For he came on night to her bed feet
And a grumbly guest, I'm sure was he
Saying - Here am I, thy bairn's father
Although I be not comely
I am a man upon the land
I am a silkie on the sea
And when I'm far and far frae land
My home it is in Sule Skerrie
And he had ta'en a purse of gold
And he had placed it upon her knee
Saying - Give to me my little young son
And take thee up thy nurse's fee
And it shall come to pass on a summer's day
When the sun shines bright on every stane
I'll come and fetch my little young son
And teach him how to swim the faem
And ye shall marry a gunner good
And a right fine gunner I'm sure he'll be
And the very first shot that e'er he shoots
Will kill both my young son and me

All chords in this song (7)

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Silkie

by Joan Baez

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Joan Baez, on Joan Baez Vol.2, Vanguard 79595-2 and on The Joan Baez Ballad Book,

ed.

Italiana Orizzonte, Ricordi, AORL 28344, first released on Joan Baez Vol.2, Vanguard

1961.

Tune: the one composed by James Waters in the late 1950s.

Chords (from the Joan Baez Songbook)

G D F C G D

() () ()

An earthly nurse sits and sings

F C G D

() ()

And aye, she sings by lily wean -

C G G D F C G D

() () () ()

And little ken I my bairn's father

F C Am Em Dm Am G D

() () () ()

Far less the land where he dwells in

An earthly nurse sits and sings

And aye, she sings by lily wean -

And little ken I my bairn's father

Far less the land where he dwells in

For he came on night to her bed feet

And a grumbly guest, I'm sure was he

Saying - Here am I, thy bairn's father

Although I be not comely

I am a man upon the land

I am a silkie on the sea

And when I'm far and far frae land

My home it is in Sule Skerrie

And he had ta'en a purse of gold

And he had placed it upon her knee

Saying - Give to me my little young son

And take thee up thy nurse's fee

And it shall come to pass on a summer's day

When the sun shines bright on every stane

I'll come and fetch my little young son

And teach him how to swim the faem

And ye shall marry a gunner good

And a right fine gunner I'm sure he'll be

And the very first shot that e'er he shoots

Will kill both my young son and me

About Silkie Chords by Joan Baez

Learn how to play Silkie by Joan Baez with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Silkie chords”, “Silkie guitar chords”, or “Joan Baez Silkie chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Silkie chords and for experienced players who want accurate Silkie lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, D, F, C, Am, Em.

FAQ — Silkie by Joan Baez

How do I play "Silkie" by Joan Baez on guitar?

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Can I transpose "Silkie" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Silkie" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Silkie"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Silkie" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Silkie" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Silkie" by Joan Baez with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Joan Baez below.

What key is "Silkie" in?

The chords for "Silkie" show the original chord names (including G, D, F, C, Am, Em). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.