Skye Boat Song lyrics
by Leonard Cohen
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
Thunderclouds rend the air;
Baffled, our foes stand by the shore
Follow they will not dare
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
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
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
Many's the lad fought on that day
Well the Claymore could wield
When the night came, silently lay
Dead on Culloden's field
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
Burned are their homes, exile and death
Scatter the loyal men;
Yet ere the sword cool in the sheath
Charlie will come again