Mingulay Boat Song

Hugh S. Roberton

Chorus"
Heel you ho, boys; let her go, boys;
Bring her head round, into the weather,
Heel you ho, boys,let her go, boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay

What care we how, white the spray is?
What care we for the wind or weather?
Heel you ho, boys,let her go, boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay

Chorus

Friends are waiting by the pier head,
Gazing seaward from the heather;
Heel you ho, boys,let her go, boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay

Chrous

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Heel yo ho, boys; let her go, boys;
Bring her head round, into the weather,
Heel you 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?
Let her go boys; every inch is
Sailing homeward to Mingulay.

Wives are waiting, by the pier head,
Or looking seaward, from the heather;
Pull her round, boys, then you'll anchor
'Ere the sun sets on Mingulay.

Ships return now, heavy laden
Mothers holdin' bairns a-cryin'
They'll return, though, when the sun sets
They'll return to Mingulay.


Notes:
Hugh S. Roberton is the founder of the Glasgow Orpheus Choir.
The Minch is a straight of the Atlantic near Mingulay.