Deep down below the shining waves
Are all the little mermaide' caves;
I often sit beside the sea,
And think how lovely it would be
To dive beneath the waves,
And find the pretty mermaids'caves I

For all the little children there
Have silver tails and golden hair ;
Oh, think how jolly it must be
To float about the sea,
And chase the fishes to and fro,
And then to bunt for pearls below 1

I wonder if they go to school,
And what they do there as a rule,
And if twice one is always two,
And if counting's very hard to do?
I wonder if, when supper's done,
They kiss "Good-night" to every one?
And if the pretty mothers there
Comb out the little mermaids' hair,
And tuck them up all warm and tight,
And sing them lullabies at night !