Sea Lion, Sea Line, See the Lyin', She Lyin'

See-line Woman - Nina Simone

"Sea Lion Woman" (also "Sea-Line Woman", "See [the] Lyin' Woman", "She Lyin' Woman", "See-Line Woman", or "C-Line Woman") is a traditional American folk song originally used as a children's song.

The origins of the song are not known but it is believed to have originated in the southern United States. It was first recorded by folklore researcher Herbert Halpert on May 13, 1939. Many covers of this song has been done but but I'd say the most famous and well done by the amazing Nina Simone (one of my favorite musical artists) in 1964. Nina popularized the song as "See-line woman" on her album Broadway Blues Ballads.



See line woman
She drink coffee
She drink tea
And then go home

See line woman
Way down you're done
Behind the lock
And the rooster croaks

And then go home
And then go home

See line woman
Black dress on
For a thousand dollars
She wails, she moans

And then go home

See line woman
Dressed in green
Wear silk stockings
With golden seams

And then go home
And then go home
And then go home

Empty his pockets
Wreck his days
Make him love her
And he flies away

He flies away
He flies away
He flies away

See line
See line
See line
See line

Wiggle wiggle
Turn like a cat
Wink at a man
And he wink back

See line woman
Way down you're done
Behind the lock
And the rooster croaks

And then go home
And then go home
And then go home

*note*
There are different versions of the lyrics depending on who has covered the song.



A remix of the song was released in 2002 on Verve/Remixed compilation.



Feist did a great version of it on her album The Reminder.


Feist - 2005 performance in Paris, France

Sea lion woman
She drink coffee
Sea lion woman
She drink tea
And a rooster crows

Sea lion woman
She drink coffee
She drink tea
And a rooster crows

Sea lion woman
Dressed in red
Smile at the man
When you wake up in his bed

Sea lion woman
Dressed in black
Wink at the man
Then stab him in his back

Sea lion woman
She drink coffee
She drink tea
And a rooster crows

Sea lion woman
Dressed in white
Marry the man
And you'll spend a long sweet life

Sea lion woman
Dressed in green
Silver lining and golden seams

Sea lion woman
Dressed in blue
Call on the man
And hope he knows what he can do

Sea lion...

Sea lion woman
She drink coffee
She drink tea
And a rooster crows

Sea lion woman
She drink coffee
She drink tea
And a rooster crows

Sea lion woman
Dressed in the blue
Call on the man
And hope he knows what he can do

Sea lion woman
Dressed in red
Smile at the man
When you wake up in his bed

Sea lion woman....