Mingulay Boat Song

"Mingulay Boat Song" lyrics by Hugh S. Roberton lyrics, music traditional

Performed by Marc Gunn
From: Scottish Songs of Drinking & Rebellion

* Heel yo ho, boys; let her go, boys;
Bring her head round, into the weather,
Heel you ho, boys, let her go, boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay

What care we though, white the Minch is?
What care we for wind or weather?
Let her go boys; every inch is
Sailing homeward to Mingulay.

Wives are waiting, by the pier head,
Or looking seaward, from the heather;
Pull her round, boys, then you'll anchor
'Ere the sun sets on Mingulay.

Ships return now, heavy laden
Mothers holdin' bairns a-cryin'
They'll return, though, when the sun sets
They'll return to Mingulay.

Chords: KEY C

verse/chorus

[C]Heel yo ho, boys; [F]let her [C]go, boys;
Bring her [G]head round, into the [F]weather,
Heel you [C]ho, boys, let her go, boys
Sailing [G]homeward to [F]Mingu-[C]lay

 

Background

The "Mingulay Boat Song" is a song written by Sir Hugh S. Roberton in the 1930s. The melody is described in Roberton's Songs of the Isles as a traditional Gaelic tune, probably titled "Lochaber". The song describes fishermen sailing homeward to the isle of Mingulay where their families wait.

 

Mingulay Boat Song Videos

Marc Gunn singing "Mingulay Boat Song"

coming soon

"Mingulay Boat Song" from CD

Parody: "Mingulay Cat Song"

from a St Patrick's Day performance