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       but 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       we were 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 you said never again       we were dancing in the middle of the desert    you said we'll burn under the hot sun    i said i'd rather be the colour of pleasure    than watch like you from under the thumb       but 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       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 living 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       but 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