King's Singers Skye Boat Song Lyrics

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.

Loud the winds howl, loud the waves roar,

Thunderclaps rend the air;

Baffled, our foes stand by the shore,

Follow they will not dare.

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

Many's the lad fought on that day,

Well the claymore could wield,

When the night came, silently lay

Dead in Cullodoen's field.

Burned are their homes, exile and death,

Scatter the loyal men.

Yet e'er the sword cool in the sheath,

Charlie will come again.