69 - Mingulay Boat Song

Words by Hugh S. Roberton
Tune by Traditional

Hill-yo-ho, boys! Let her go, boys!
Bring her head round, into the weather.
Hill-yo-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?
Pull her round, boys, every inch is
Heading homeward to Mingulay.

Hill-yo-ho, boys!..

Partners waiting at the pier head,
Looking seaward from the heather;
They’ll return though, when the sun sets
They’ll return home to Mingulay.

Hill-yo-ho, boys!..

Ships return now, heavy laden,
Parents holding bairns a-crying.
Let her go boys, and we’ll anchor
'Ere the sun sets on Mingulay.

Hill-yo-ho, boys!..