Thanks for the interesting question. I love looking for answers to such as this on the 'Net. Found an incredibly interesting 11 page article from the magazine Dalriada at
http://www.dalriada.co.uk/Main1.htm

The author, H. McSkimming, who copyrighted it in 1985, starts out talking about crossing the Minch. If one follows to the last paragraph, one finds a reference to the "Blue Men of the Minch who are responsible for the forever restless stretch of water that lies between the south east of Lewis and Shiant Isles." Apparently the Blue Men spent their time in the water trying to sink ships. Seems the only ones they spared were those who could complete the second half of a verse of poetry which they shouted at the hapless sailors!

Have fun and thanks, again! katlaughing

Also, here are the words of the version which is in the DT database:

MINGULAY BOAT SONG
(Hugh S. Roberton, founder of the Glasgow Orpheus Choir)

Heel yo ho, boys; let her go, boys;
Bring her head round, into the weather,
Hill you 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?
Let her go boys; every inch is
Sailing homeward to Mingulay.

Wives are waiting, by the pier head,
Or looking seaward, from the heather;
Pull her round, boys, then you'll anchor
'Ere the sun sets on Mingulay.

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

From Lorrie Wyatt's Folk Legacy Album.
Originally recorded by the McPeake Family.
@sailor
Recorded by Clancy Bros. on Isn't it Grand
filename[ MINGULY
^^