Mingulay Boat Song

This was written by Sir Hugh S. Roberton (1874–1952) in the 1930s. The melody is described in Roberton's “Songs of the Isles” as a traditional Gaelic tune, probably titled "Lochaber". It  describes fishermen sailing homeward to the Hebridean isle of Mingulay where their families wait. The Minch is a strait in north-west Scotland that separates the mainland from Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides.

Hill you ho, boys; Let her go, boys;
Bring her head round into the weather
Hill you ho, boys; Let her go, boys;
Sailing homeward to Mingulay.

What care we though white the Minch is?
What care we for wind and weather?
Let her go boys! Every inch is
Heading homeward to Mingulay.

Hill you ho, boys; Let her go, boys;
Bring her head round into the weather
Hill you ho, boys; Let her go, boys;
Sailing homeward to Mingulay.

Wives are waiting by the harbour, or
Looking seaward from the heather;
Pull her round boys! and we'll anchor,
Ere the sun sets at Mingulay.

Hill you ho, boys; Let her go, boys;
Bring her head round into the weather
Hill you ho, boys; Let her go, boys;
Sailing homeward to Mingulay.