56 - Mingulay Boat Song

Hill-yo-ho, boys! Let her go, boys!
Bring her head round, and all together.
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! Let her go, boys!
Bring her head round, and all together.
Hill-yo-ho, boys! Let her go, boys,
Sailing homeward to Mingulay.

Wives are waiting at the pier head,
looking seaward from the heather;
They’ll return though, when the sun sets
They’ll return to Mingulay.

Hill-yo-ho, boys! Let her go, boys!
Bring her head round, and all together.
Hill-yo-ho, boys! Let her go, boys,
Sailing homeward to Mingulay.

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

Hill-yo-ho, boys! Let her go, boys!
Bring her head round, and all together.
Hill-yo-ho, boys! Let her go, boys,
Sailing homeward to Mingulay.