Mingulay Boat Song
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The premise of the "Mingulay Boat Song" is that it would be sung by Scottish fishermen as they returned from the Atlantic towards the Isle of Mingulay.
The lyrics were penned by Sir Hugh S. Roberton (1874-1952) in the 1930s. The melody is described in Songs of the Isles as a "traditional Gaelic tune (probably Lochaber) arranged by Hugh S Roberton". In fact, the original tune was a pipe tune, "Creag Guanach"; from Lochaber. Moreover, the isle itself was abandoned in 1912, and therefore the song is not, as popularly fancied, authentic to the isle's fishing community.
[edit] Lyrics
- Chorus:
- Heel y'ho boys, let her go, boys
- Bring her head round now all together
- Heel y'ho boys, let her go boys
- Sailing homeward to Mingulay!
- What care we tho' white the Minch is
- What care we for wind and weather?
- Let her go boys, every inch is
- Wearing homeward to Mingulay!
-
- Chorus
- Wives are waiting on the bank, boys,
- Looking seaward from the heather.
- Pull her 'round boys, and we'll anchor
- 'Ere the sun sets at Mingulay!
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- Chorus
[edit] Notable performances
- The Idlers have performed this song around the world since 1957.
- Heather Alexander performs this song twice on her 2006 album Arms of the Sea. The first instance is listed in the liner notes, and the second (and arguably prettier) version is not listed, and is located considerably past the end of the last track on the CD.
- Richard Thompson performs this song on the 2006 compilation CD, Rogue's Gallery.
- The Jolly Rogers perform this song on their 2000 album, Midnight Buffet.
- The Poxy Boggards perform this song on their 2002 album, Lager Than Life.
- Susan Hickey performs this song on her 2002 album, Water Meets Sand. The lyrics differ slightly from the ones posted here and include an extra verse.
- Maid in the Myddle/The Jolly Rogers perform this song on their 1992 album, Argosy. There is an added, original verse by Maid in the Myddle.
- The Vatersay Boys mixed the song into Oidhche Bha, the final track on their album 'An Rathad a Bhatarsaigh', but notably with the word 'Mingulay' in the chorus changed to 'Vatersay'.
