The Sea-Man

Words by Rhonwen y Llysieuyddes
(m.k.a. Julia Howarth West)
To the tune of "Tàladh ar Slànair" (Christ Child Lullaby)
by Ranald Rankin, c. 1855

midi
     Young Huw and Cerys walked beside
     The seashore just at eventide.
     Said Huw, "I love you more than life;
     Pray say that you will be my wife."
     
     Fair Cerys shook her lovely head,
     "I am not ready for to wed."
     She scorned his offer for her hand
     And ran away along the sand.
     
     The full moon rose, it shone so bright:
     Along the waves a path of light.
     As Cerys looked it seemed that she
     Could see a man come from the sea.
     
     He walked along the path to reach
     A place quite near her on the beach.
     She caught her breath--she'd never seen
     A man so handsome, strong and lean.
     
     Chorus:
          Oh, many a fine young lad has sought
          To be my love, but I would not,
          For never one appealed to me.
          Then I saw the man from out the sea.
     
     Like one bespelled she went to meet
     The man, though waves lapped at her feet.
     He took her hands and spoke her name.
     "I'm Morien; for you I came."
     
     She lay with him the waves beside
     Until the turning of the tide.
     Then as the sun rose mistily
     He disappeared into the sea.
     
     And every time the moon shone bright
     Fair Cerys went out in the night
     To walk upon the salt sea shore
     And meet her lover one time more.
     
     Then she with child was seen to be.
     Young Huw still said, "Pray marry me."
     Her father wished it to be so,
     But Cerys answered only, "No."
     
     Chorus:
          For many a fine young lad has sought
          To be my love, but I would not.
          For never one appealed to me
          'Til I met the man from out the sea.
     
     That evening she did leave her home
     And by the seaside she did roam.
     Huw followed her with anxious feet
     That he might see whom she did meet.
     
     The moon rose bright and Morien came.
     Forth Cerys ran and called his name.
     "Dear love, my father bids me wed,
     But I'll have none save you," she said.
     
     When Huw did see the two embrace
     He left his stony hiding place,
     "Oh Cerys, say it cannot be
     You love a man from out the sea."
     
     Fair Cerys started with alarm.
     Then Morien took her by the arm
     And led her 'neath the sea's bright foam
     To share with him his watery home.
     
     Though long Huw walked the salt sea shore
     He did not see her ever more.
     But often when the moon rose clear
     It seemed his true love's voice he'd hear:
     
     Chorus:
          For many a fine young lad has sought
          To be my love, but I would not.
          For never one appealed to me
          'Til I met the man from out the sea.
     
Words copyright © 1979 by Julia Howarth (West)



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from 1 Dec 2003