Getting back to the original song. A version was published in "A Folksinger's Guide to Grassroots Harmony" by Ethel Raim and Josh Dunson (Oak PUblications 1968). The lyrics are pretty much what is in the DT except that they use "Hill you ho". The editors of the book add a little more to the background including the following:

"Here is a sea shanty made for stormy weather that has become gentle in the hands of the McPeakes. Norman Kennedy states that the song was originally about the supernatural powers of an owl, but when the singers of the Hebrides became embarrassed by such ideas, they ceased to sing those words. The McPeakes sang the Mingulay Boat Song during the performance at the Folklore Society of Greater Washington in 1964. Chuck Perdue provided a set of words which he learned from Bryan Sutton as the verses on the tape of the concert were difficult to pick up clearly"

Obviously a bunch of names are dropped in here. Perhaps someone can vouch for the people mentioned. What is more intriguing to me is what are the lyrics of the version about the owl?

rich r