The "Mingulay Boat Song" is a song 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". The tune was part of an old Gaelic song, "Òran na Comhachaig" (the 'Creag Ghuanach' portion); from Brae Lochaber. The song describes fishermen sailing homeward to the isle of Mingulay where their families wait.

Lyrics

Roberton's lyrics are as follows: "Hill you ho, boys; Let her go, boys; Bring her head round, now all together. Hill you ho, boys; Let her go, boys; Sailing home, home to Mingulay. What care we though white the Minch is? What care we for wind or weather? Let her go boys! ev'ry inch is Wearing home, home to Mingulay. Wives are waiting on the bank, or Looking seaward from the heather; Pull her round boys! and we'll anchor, Ere the sun sets at Mingulay."

Alternative lyrics

Later performers have adapted the song via folk process, with alterations to Roberton's lyrics. For example: "Chorus: Heel y'ho boys / let her go boys Bring her head round / into the weather Heel y'ho boys / let her go boys Sailing homeward / to Mingulay! What care we boys / how white the Minch is? What care we boys / of windy weather when we know that / every inch is sailing homeward / to Mingulay? Chorus Wives are waiting / on the pier heads, Gazing seaward / from the heather. Pull her head 'round / and we'll anchor Ere the sun sets / on Mingulay! Chorus" The McCalmans sang their own version on the 1973 album An Audience with the McCalmans. The Corries used the following words on the 1974 album Live from Scotland: "Chorus Heel yo ho, boys, let her go, boys Swing her head round and all together Heel yo 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 Swing her head round, every inch is Sailing homeward to Mingulay Chorus Wives are waiting by the quayside They've been waiting since break of day-o Swing her head round, every inch is Sailing homeward to Mingulay Chorus When the wind is wild with shouting And the waves mount ever higher Anxious eyes turn ever seaward To see us home, boys, to Mingulay" The Longest Johns adapted the lyrics on their album Between Wind And Water: "Chorus Heave 'er ho, boys; let her go, boys; Swing her head round, into the weather, Heave 'er ho, boys; let her go, boys; Sailing homeward to Mingulay What care we though, white the Minch is? What care we, boys, for windy weather? When we know that every inch is Sailing homeward to Mingulay Chorus Wives are waiting, by the pier head, Gazing seaward, from the heather; Bring her 'round, boys, then we'll anchor 'ere the sun sets on Mingulay. Chorus Ships return now, heavy laden Mothers holdin' bairns a-cryin' They'll return, yet, when the sun sets Sailing homeward to Mingulay. Chorus" The Storm Weather Shanty Choir performed the song on their album A Drop of Nelson's Blood with these lyrics: "We are workers at the hawser We are workers since break of day We are workers at the hawser As the sun sets on Mingulay Chorus Heel y’ho boys, let her go, boys Bring her head round into the weather Heel y’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 Sailing homeward to Mingulay Chorus Heel y’ho boys, let her go, boys Bring her head round into the weather Heel y’ho boys, let her go boys Sailing homeward to Mingulay Wives are waiting by the pier head or looking seaward from the heather. Pull her ’round boys, and we’ll anchor ‘ere the sun sets on Mingulay Chorus Heel y’ho boys, let her go, boys Bring her head round into the weather Heel y’ho boys, let her go boys Sailing homeward to Mingulay Ships return now, heavy laden Mothers holdin’ their bairns a-cryin’ They’ll return though, when the sun sets They’ll return back to Mingulay Chorus Heel y’ho boys, let her go, boys Bring her head round into the weather Heel y’ho boys, let her go boys Sailing homeward to Mingulay"

Recordings