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About the Score

This arrangement, featuring a solo tenor and SSAATB choir, reharmonizes the traditional folk song with a contemporary twist. This arrangement would work well for any a cappella high school, college, or community choir looking for modern arrangements of traditional folk songs.

The Skye Boat Song is a Scottish folk song that tells the story of how Prince Charlie escaped from a defeat in battle by disguising himself as a serving maid and sailing away on a boat. The lyrics describe the aftermath of his defeat in battle and refer to the Claymore, which is a Scottish sword, and Culloden's Field, the battlefield where Prince Charlie's defeat occurred in 1746.

Text:

Chorus 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.

Verse 1 Loud the winds howl, loud the waves roar, Thunderclouds rend the air; Baffled, our foes stand by the shore, Follow they will not dare.

Chorus 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.

Verse 2 Many's the lad fought on that day, Well the Claymore could wield, When the night came, silently lay Dead on Culloden's field.

Chorus 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.

Verse 3 Burned are their homes, exile and death Scatter the loyal men; Yet ere the sword cool in the sheath Charlie will come again.

Final Chorus Sing me a song of a lad that is gone, Say, could that lad be I? Merry of soul he sailed on a day Over the sea to Skye.

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