The little land-baby she sat on the land,
The mer-baby sat on the sea,
The little land-baby was dusty with sand,
And the mer-baby, on the other hand,
Was as wet as wet could be!

The little land-baby was thoroughly dressed
From her shoes to her well-brushed hair;
She had ribbons and ruffles and all the rest,
And delicate petticoats starched and pressed,
But the little mer-baby was bare!

The little land-baby she mustn't do this,
And alas she mustn't do that!
She had care and comfort and many a kiss,
But she was as thin as a " hankerfiss. "
And the little mer-baby was fat!

The landbaby's nurse came and carried her home,
Away from the shining sea;
But the little mer-baby could wriggle and roam
And frolic and splash in the soft seam foam —
Now which would you rather be?