The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #38031   Message #541925
Posted By: Susanne (skw)
04-Sep-01 - 06:25 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Boat Song: Now our steady boat is ready
Subject: Lyr Add: BOAT SONG (Traditional Scottish)
An improved but by no means perfect version. Any corrections welcome!

BOAT SONG
(Trad)

Now our steady boat is ready, get her into motion
Let him steer who knows no fear upon the trackless ocean
Fetch the cup and fill it up and to this toast responding
The health of all, both great and small, now hopelessly desponding

We'll merry be, when out at sea we'll have a song from Rory
Bein' a hand, my gallant man, there is our candles(?) for 'ee
Banish fear, our course is clear, we proudly keep our bearing
And safely land on yonder strand although the feats be daring

The winds may blow, the tempest roar, the crashing waves blow over
For 's then my boy when passing Soay we bless the tidy rover
With crew so brave upon the wave to fear I am a stranger
I love the hand that can command a boat amid such danger

To Mull we'll go, to Mull we'll go, that island worth adoring
To Mull we'll go, the billows blow and seas around us pouring
'Mid flying foam I feel at home, at sea I'm in my glory
Our crew and boat, the best afloat, her name shall live in story

Soay is, I found, a small island in the Cuillin Sound between Skye and Rhum, and seemed a likely candidate for what is sung here.