No Mermaid - Joan Baez

We went down to the edge of the water

You were afraid to go in

You said there might be sharks out there in the ocean

And I said I’m only going for a swim

I was swimming around in a circle

I wasn’t always in view

You said we might get into red flag danger

And I am alone when I’m not with you

I am no mermaid, I am no mermaid

And I am no fisherman’s slave

I am no mermaid, I am no mermaid

I keep my head above the waves

I was swinging from the centre of the ceiling

You were afraid to give in

I said I know I’ll always live for this feeling

And you closed your eyes and said never again

I was dancing in the middle of the desert

You said we’d burn under the hot sun

I said I’d rather be the colour of pleasure

Than watch like you from under the thumb

I am no mermaid, I am no mermaid

And I am no fisherman’s slave

I am no mermaid, I am no mermaid

I keep my head above the waves