Skye Boat Song
Journey of Destiny: Over the Sea to Skye
Lyrics
Speed bonnie boat like a bird on the wing
Expressing the urgency of the boat's speed, likening it to a bird flying swiftly.
Onward the sailors cry
The sailors are urging the boat forward.
Carry the lad that's born to be king
Refers to carrying a young man destined to become a king.
Over the sea to Skye
The destination is the Isle of Skye across the sea.
Loud the winds howl loud the waves roar
Describing a stormy sea with strong winds and roaring waves.
Thunderclaps rend the air
Thunderclaps are tearing through the air.
Baffled our foes stand on the shore
Enemies on the shore are confused and hesitant.
Follow they will not dare
They won't dare to follow.
Speed bonnie boat like a bird on the wing
Reiteration of the urgency of the boat's speed.
Onward the sailors cry
Sailors continue urging the boat onward.
Carry the lad that's born to be king
Repeating the idea of carrying a future king.
Over the sea to Skye
Reaffirming the destination, the Isle of Skye.
Many's the lad fought on that day
Reflection on the battles where young men fought with swords.
Well the claymore could wield
The claymore, a Scottish sword, being a formidable weapon.
When the night came silently lay
Describing the aftermath of the battle with silence at night.
Dead on Culloden's field
Many are dead on the field of Culloden.
Speed bonnie boat like a bird on the wing
Reiteration of the urgency, comparing the boat to a bird.
Onward the sailors cry
Sailors continue urging the boat onward.
Carry the lad that's born to be king
Repeating the idea of carrying a future king.
Over the sea to Skye
Reaffirming the destination, the Isle of Skye.
Billow and breeze islands and seas
Describing the natural elements, such as waves, islands, and mountains.
Mountains of rain and sun
Depicting a mix of turbulent and serene natural features.
All that was good all that was fair
Reflecting on the loss of everything good and fair.
All that was ours is gone
All that belonged to them is now lost.
Speed bonnie boat like a bird on the wing
Reiteration of the urgency, comparing the boat to a bird.
Onward the sailors cry
Sailors continue urging the boat onward.
Carry the lad that's born to be king
Repeating the idea of carrying a future king.
Over the sea to Skye
Reaffirming the destination, the Isle of Skye.
Burned are our homes exile and death
Expressing the devastation of burned homes, exile, and death.
Scatter the loyal men
Loyal men are scattered due to the events.
Yet e'er the sword cool in the sheath
Despite the conflict cooling, the hope remains for the return of Charlie.
Charlie will come again
Charlie, the prince, will come again.
Speed bonnie boat like a bird on the wing
Reiteration of the urgency, comparing the boat to a bird.
Onward the sailors cry
Sailors continue urging the boat onward.
Carry the lad that's born to be king
Repeating the idea of carrying a future king.
Over the sea to Skye
Reaffirming the destination, the Isle of Skye.
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