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326 Indiana University Publications, Folklore Series
79 SPEED, BONNIE BOAT
The following fragment was sung for me by Mr. William Jardine, of Terre Haute, Indiana. Vigo County. Mr. Jardine learned this song in Scotland from the singing of his father, Mr. Alexander Jardine, but had forgotten most of it. I am indebted to Professor Reed Smith, Dean of the Graduate School, University of South Carolina, for securing for me from Mr. Phillips Barry the complete text, given below as B. Professor Smith informs me that it is to be found in the Harrow School Songbook, p. 155, and in the Groton School Sing-Song Book, p. 126, under the title "Skye Boat Song." Contributed January 3, 1936.
A
Mr. Jardine calls this "an old Jacobite song." He knows no title for it, so uses for a title the first three words.
1. Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing; "Onward!" the sailors cry; Garry the lad that's born to be king Over the sea to Skye.
B
1. Loud the winds howl, loud the waves roar, Thunder-clouds rend the air;
Baffled, our foes stand by 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.
2. 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, &c. |
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