Skye Boat Song

Roger Whittaker

About 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. 


Year:
2009
2:45
72 
#2

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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


8 facts about this song

Origin
The "Skye Boat Song" is a Scottish folk song, which Roger Whittaker remade. The song, however, dates back to the aftermath of the Jacobite Uprising in 1745.
Inspiration
The song is inspired by the escape of Prince Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) from Uist to the Isle of Skye after his defeat in the Battle of Culloden in 1746.
Composition
The original version, composed in the late 19th century, has lyrics written by Sir Harold Edwin Boulton, set to the tune of a traditional sea shanty.
Popularity
Roger Whittaker's 1971 cover is arguably one of the most well-known renditions, and his version has been extensively used in television and film.
Television Show
This song gained even more popularity when it was rearranged by Bear McCreary as the main theme for the television series "Outlander."
Lyrics
Some of the song's lyrics, like "Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing," have become iconic and are often quoted in popular culture.
Whittaker's Version
Roger Whittaker’s version of the song showcases his baritone voice and the calming, lilting melody of the song, which is complemented by the orchestral arrangement.
Covers
Besides Whittaker, other artists who have covered "Skye Boat Song" include Tom Jones, Connie Francis, and Celtic Woman. However, Whittaker's rendition is one of the most acclaimed ones.

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