The Sea, a Selkie Song

Paula’s latest song, composed to a popular jig “Out on the Ocean” and slowed down a lot. The sound isn’t processed at all apart from a touch of compression on her voice so it’s warts and all. (This guitar doesn’t seem to need EQ. :) )Moss the Border Collie cleverly added some seal impressions right at the end!Words and vocals Paula Bolton, guitar Tarquin Bolton. Overlay videos and images courtesy of Pixabay, final image ©Tarquin Bolton. The Sea, a Selkie Song The sea is calling, it’s calling to me I sigh for the sight and the sound of the sea I stand on the shore with my back to the land With shells in my pockets and shoes full of sand Out on the waves a seal passes by She pauses to greet me, one flipper held high Her voice when she speaks is a sharp, dog-like bark Her eyes, though, are gentle and deep-ocean dark “Come, join my seal-sisters” I hear her say “We’ll teach you to follow the watery way Take a few steps up the pebbly beach We’ve left you a gift, where the tide cannot reach” I skip over driftwood to find lying there A silvery coat such as seal-people wear Without hesitation I slip on the skin And zip it up tightly from tummy to chin Now I have no pockets and I have no hands My feet are a tail and I cannot stand I flop on my front, give a whiskery grin And wriggle on down, ’til the sea takes me in The seal and her kin wait to welcome me home We surge through the shallows, the surf and the foam Then we are off in a flurry of spray To chase the white horses all over the bay We leap with the dolphins and copy their tricks They spell out my name in a series of clicks For I am Selkie, I’m sleek and I’m strong And out on the ocean is where I belong I stand on the shore with my back to the land My hands in my pockets and feet in the sand Oh, the sea is calling, it’s calling to me I long to be home with the seals in the sea © Paula Bolton - May 2025