Mingulay Boat Song Lyrics

Heel yo ho, boys, let her go, boys
Bring her head around into the weather
Heel yo ho, boys, let her go, boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay

What care we how white the Minch is?
What care we for wind or weather
When we know that every inch
Is sailing home to Mingulay?

Heel yo ho, boys, let her go, boys
Bring her head around into the weather
Heel yo ho, boys, let her go, boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay

When the wind is wild and wailing
And the waves mount ever higher
Anxious eyes turn ever seaward
To see us home, boys, to Mingulay

Heel yo ho, boys, let her go, boys
Bring her head around into the weather
Heel yo ho, boys, let her go, boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay

And wives are waiting at the pierhead
Looking seaward from over the heather
Pull her around, boys, and we'll anchor
'Ere the sun sets at Mingulay

Heel yo ho, boys, let her go, boys
Bring her head around into the weather
Heel yo ho, boys, let her go, boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay

Heel yo ho, boys, let her go, boys
Bring her head around into the weather
Heel yo ho, boys, let her go, boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay

Heel yo ho, boys, let her go, boys
Bring her head around into the weather
Heel yo ho, boys, let her go, boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay

Ships return now, heavy laden
Mother holding the bairns crying
They'll return, yet, when the sun sets
They'll return back to Mingulay