The Skye Boat Song

Roger Whittaker, Des O'Connor

About The Skye Boat Song

"The Skye Boat Song" is a late 19th-century Scottish song recalling the journey of Prince Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) from Benbecula to the Isle of Skye as he evaded capture by Government troops after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Sir Harold Boulton, 2nd Baronet composed the lyrics to an air collected by Anne Campbelle MacLeod in the 1870s, and the line "Over the Sea to Skye" is now a cornerstone of the tourism industry on the Isle of Skye. Alternative lyrics to the tune were written by Robert Louis Stevenson, probably in 1885. After hearing the Jacobite airs sung by a visitor he judged the words of this song to be "unworthy", so made a new set of verses "more in harmony with the plaintive tune". It is often played as a slow lullaby or waltz, and entered into the modern folk canon in the twentieth century with versions by Paul Robeson, Tom Jones, Rod Stewart, Roger Whittaker, Tori Amos, and many others. 


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Now if you load your rifle right
And if you fix your bayonet so
And if you kill that man, my friend
The one we call the foe

And if you do it often lad
And if you do it right
You'll be a hero overnight
You'll save your country from her plight

Remember God is always right
If you survive to see the sight
A friend now greeting foe
No, you won't believe in it anymore

It's an illusion, it's an illusion
No you won't believe in it anymore
It is for children, it is for children
Building daydreams

If I knew then what I know now
(I thought I did you know somehow)
If I could have the time again
I'd take the sunshine leave the rain
If only time would trickle slow

Like rain that melts the fallen snow
If only Lord if only
If only lord if only
Oh, I don't believe in it anymore

It's an illusion, it's an illusion
No, I don't believe in it anymore
It is for children, it is for children
Building daydreams

No, I don't believe in it anymore

It's an illusion, it's an illusion
No, I don't believe in it anymore
It is for children, it is for children
Building daydreams

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Roger Whittaker

Roger Whittaker (born 22 March 1936) is an Anglo-Kenyan singer-songwriter and musician. His music can be described as easy listening or perhaps best as ballads. He is best known for his baritone singing voice and trademark whistling ability. American audiences are most familiar with his 1970 hit "New World in the Morning" and his 1975 hit "The Last Farewell," the latter of which is his only single to hit the Billboard Hot 100 (it made the Top 20) and also hit #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. more »

3 fans

Written by: COLIN KEYES, ROGER HENRY BROUGH WHITTAKER

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Origin of the Song
"The Skye Boat Song" was originally a Scottish folk song that depicts the escape of Prince Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) from Uist to the Isle of Skye after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.
Artist
This song has been covered by various artists over the years, but one of the most notable versions was performed by Roger Whittaker, a Kenyan-British singer-songwriter and musician known for his baritone singing voice.
Literary Connections
The lyrics of "The Skye Boat Song" were written by Sir Harold Boulton, 2nd Baronet, in 1884. They were further modified over time and various versions of the song exist today.
Genre
The song comes under the genre of folk music as it figuratively narrates a historical event through music, and it is still cherished as one of the legacies of Scottish traditional culture.
Popularity
When Roger Whittaker covered the song "The Skye Boat Song," it gained a significant international audience, speaking to the enduring appeal of traditional folk tales and melodies.
TV Series Presence
The same tune was later transformed into the opening theme for the popular television series "Outlander", further enhancing its fame and recall value for a modern audience.
Use in Public Events
As it is a famous Scottish tune, the song is regularly performed at public events, such as football matches, and works as a symbol of Gaelic cultural identity.
Influence
The song's melody has a soothing lilt that is characteristic of Celtic (especially Scottish) music, shaping the music of numerous artists within and outside the traditional folk genre.
Cultural Significance
“The Skye Boat Song” is an integral part of Scottish cultural heritage. Being a style of storytelling, it is used to educate people about Scottish history in a more accessible and engaging way.
Iconic Symbol
Beyond its cultural importance, the song has become a symbol of Scottish resistance and resilience, reflecting their fight for freedom in the 18th century.

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