The Skye Boat Song
The Skye Boat Song
The Skye Boat Song was written by Sir Harold Boulton, Bart in the 1870's and first published in 1884, in Boulton and MacLeod's "Songs of the North". It was written to an air collected by Miss Annie MacLeod (Lady Wilson) but was later publications ascribed it to an "Old Highland rowing measure arranged by Malcolm Lawson".
The song recalls the escape of Bonnie Prince Charlie (the young pretender, Charles Edward Stuart) from his defeat, by the Duke of Cumberland, at Culloden Moor in 1746 and concentrates upon his journey from Uist in the Outer Hebrides to the Isle of Skye (in the Inner Hebrides). A large ransom had been placed on Charles' head and, to avoid discovery, he traveled to Skye in a small boat disguised as the serving main of Flora MacDonald who accompanied him on the journey. Although the song was written in the 19th Century it has gained a reputation of a traditional song.
The Skye Boat Song Lyrics
Speed bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing,
Onward, the sailors cry
Carry the lad that's born to be king
Over the sea to skye
Loud the winds howl, loud the waves roar,
Thunder clouds rend the air;
Baffled our foe's stand on the shore
Follow they will not dare
Speed bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing,
Onward, the sailors cry
Carry the lad that's born to be king
Over the sea to skye
Though the waves leap, soft shall ye sleep
Ocean's a royal bed
Rocked in the deep, Flora will keep
Watch by your weary head
Speed bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing,
Onward, the sailors cry
Carry the lad that's born to be king
Over the sea to skye
Many's the lad fought on that day
Well the claymore could wield
When the night came, silently lay
Dead on Culloden's field
Speed bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing,
Onward, the sailors cry
Carry the lad that's born to be king
Over the sea to skye
Burned are our homes, exile and death
Scatter the loyal men
Yet, e'er the sword cool in the sheath,
Charlie will come again.
Speed bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing,
Onward, the sailors cry
Carry the lad that's born to be king
Over the sea to skye
The song is usually sung as a lullaby in the style of a waltz/slow 6/8 time
