The Mermaid

"The Mermaid" is a song about a whaler falling in love with a mermaid, but despairs because the mermaid has fish parts below her waist. It was written by Shel Silverstein and recorded on his album I'm So Good That I Don't Have to Brag, in 1965.

In December of 1966, "The Mermaid" was published in Playboy magazine while Silverstein was a regular contributor.

Covers
Bobby Bare released a version on his 1973 album Bobby Bare Sings Lullabys, Legends and Lies. It was covered in 2005 by Great Big Sea, who released their version on their CD The Hard and the Easy. Glen Yarborough also sings a version on his album Live at the Hungry I.