Mingulay Boat Song

Mingulay Boat Song

Heel ya ho, boys, let her go, boys
Heave her head round to the weather
Heel ya ho, boys, let her go, boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay

What care we though white the Minch is
What care we boys the wind and weather
When we know that, every inch is
Closer homeward to Mingulay

Heel ya ho, boys, let her go, boys
Heave her head round to the weather
Heel ya ho, boys, let her go, boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay

Wives are waiting by the pierhead
Gazing seaward from the heather
Heave ahead round and we'll anchor
Ere the sun sets on Mingulay

Heel ya ho, boys, let her go, boys
Heave her head round to the weather
Heel ya ho, boys, let her go, boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay
Sailing homeward to Mingulay

When the wind is wild with shouting 
And the waves mount ever higher 
Anxious eyes turn ever seaward 
See us home boys to mingulay

Ships return now, heavy laden
Mothers holdin' bairns a cryin
they'll return though when the sun sets
They'll return to Mingulay