Jack - I'm glad you asked that question, since I dithered a bit in my last post. So, I'm looking for a tune that:

- is traditional, mainly for copyright reasons (cheaper and less hassle!), but also because I want to record an album that focuses mainly on my songwriting, with a couple of traditionals.

- isn't a song, for exactly the reason you suggest - I want it to be free from association with any text

- sounds beautiful played on fiddle - doesn't necessarily mean it was written specifically for fiddle.

As I said, a connection with mermaids/sea/seals/selchies would be a bonus. The song (that will precede the tune) is much imbued with the sea, with a siren mention. But it's not essential - it's more a particular mood/atmosphere I'm looking for, that will dovetail with the song. While its lyrics are melancholy, its melody works better slightly upbeat - so I think a slow sad air would follow it well.

And once I have a shortlist of tunes that I like, I will be consulting my fiddle player, to see what works from their point of view.

Leeneia - I very much appreciate your help and suggestions, but I'm not sure why you think that Jack should take my request at anything other than face value. What I asked for is what I want; if I haven't communicated clearly, and/or someone asks, I can clarify; no need for anyone to make guesses. You've also made some surprising assumptions about what I want, and my song. It's not a campfire song at all. And I certainly don't want something intellectual; I want something that stirs the emotions - that is my aim with music.

To those that have kindly offered their own tunes or suggested contemporary ones - many thanks, but I'll decline this time, for above reasons. :)

Thank you - I'm looking forward to listening to all of them.