Skye boat song (Traditional)

See also: This tune set as a hymn with the words "Spirit of God, unseen as the wind"

Music files

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• CPDL #12632: PDF and MIDI files

Editor: Adriano Secco (submitted 2006-09-17).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 69 kbytes   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: Skye boat song
Composer: Anonymous (Traditional)
Arranger: Adriano Secco

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB

Genre: Secular, Folksongs

Language: English
Instruments: a cappella
Published:

Description:

External websites:

• http://www.adrianoseccomusic.it
• Free MP3 file of Spirit of God (no words) at hymnswithoutwords.com

Original text and translations

English text

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Many's the lad fought on that day
[Well the] claymore could wield
When the night came, silently lay
Dead on Culloden's field.

5. Burned are our homes, exile and death
[Scatter the] loyal men
Yet, e'er the sword cool in the sheath
Charlie will come again.