The Mermaid and the Seagull Ralph McTell

Listening to you idle talk
Smoke rising to the ceiling
The words just seem to float on by
Maybe you've had the feeling
Then looking into my empty glass
I noticed the bar clock was ten minutes fast
My beer was gone, and my money's spent
And I think it's about time that I went

I went walking along the main road
How can they call it High Street?
I said "Hello" to a face I know
But he had someone to meet
Then I noticed that the sea was coming in
I almost felt like taking a swim
But the sea gets wild so I've been told
And anyway it was much too cold

I buttoned my coat up to my chin
Went walking along the sand
I thought I heard the mermaid sing
To the sound of a big brass band
A seagull offered me a ride
And so as not to hurt his pride
I said I wasn't going far
And I let him carry my guitar