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The Skye Boat Song

Song type: Calm
Language: English
Age group: 0-2, 3-5
Audience: Baby, Children, Pre-school, Toddler
Topics: Bookbug

How to use this song with babies

Sing to your baby in their cot, gently tapping their chest or tummy, or stroking their arms and legs.

How to use this song with toddlers

Sing this with your toddler while gently blowing bubbles, or waving a scarf.

How to use this song with 3 to 5-year olds

Sit or stand in a circle and sing the song together – break into two groups and have one group sing the verse and the other sing the chorus.

The Skye Boat Song lyrics

Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing.

Onward, the sailors cry!

Carry the lad that’s born to be King

Over the sea to Skye.

Loud the winds howls, loud the waves roar,

Thunderclaps rend the air.

Baffled our foes stand on the shore.

Follow they will not dare.

Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing.

Onward, the sailors cry!

Carry the lad that’s born to be King

Over the sea to Skye.

Many's the lad fought on that day

Well the claymore did wield,

When the night came, silently lay

Dead on Culloden’s field.

Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing.

Onward, the sailors cry!

Carry the lad that’s born to be King

Over the sea to Skye.

Though the waves leap, soft shall ye sleep,

Ocean's a royal bed.

Rocked in the deep, Flora will keep

Watch by your weary head

Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing.

Onward, the sailors cry

Carry the lad that’s born to be King

Over the sea to Skye.