As sung by Mairi MacInnes

'S tric mi sealltainn o'n chnòc a's àirde
Dh'fheuch am faic mi fear a bhàta
An tig thu'n diùigh no'n tig thu màireach
'S mur tig thu idir gur truagh a tà' mi

I'm often searching on the highest hilltop
Trying to find the boatman
Will you come tonight or tomorrow?
If you don't come at all, I'll be distraught

Fhir a bhata 'sna horo eile
Fhir a bhata 'sna horo eile
Fhir a bhata 'sna horo eile
Mo shòraidh slàn leat 's gach àit an teid thu

Chorus (after each verse):
Oh boatman 'sna horo eile
Oh boatman 'sna horo eile
Oh boatman 'sna horo eile
My best wishes go with you wherever you may be

Tha mo chridhe-sa briste brùite
'S tric na deóir a ruith o'm shùilean
An tig thu nochd no'm bi mo dhùil riut
No'n dùin mi'n dorus le osna thùrsaich

My heart is broken, bruised
Often tears are running down my cheeks
Will you come tonight or will I wait up for you
But close the door, sighing heavily?

Gheall mo leannan dhomh gùn dhe'n t-sìoda
Gheall e siod agus breacan rìomhach
Fainn òir anns an fàiginn iomhaigh
Ach 's eagal leam gun dean e di-chuimhn'

My love promised me a dress of silk
He promised me that and a gray tartan
A gold ring where I'd see my reflection
But I'm afraid he has forgotten

Bidh mi tuille gu tùrsach deùrach
Mar eala bhàn 's an déigh a reùbadh
Guileag bàis aic' air lochan feùrach
Is cach uile an déigh a tréigsinn

I will be forever tearful and dejected
Like a wild swan wounded and broken
Wailing its song of death on some weedy pond
Left by the others, alone and abandoned