the skye boat song

standard tuning

chorus
C Am/E Dm7 G7
speed , bonnie boat , like a bird on the wing ,
C F C G7
“onward!” the sailors cry .
C Am/E Dm7 G7
carry the lad that`s born to be king
C F C
over the sea to skye .

verse 1
Am Dm Am F Am
loud the winds howl , loud the waves roar , thunderclaps rend the air .
Am Dm Am F Am G7
baffled our foes stand by the shore , follow they will not dare .

repeat chorus

verse 2
Am Dm Am F Am
through the waves leap , soft shall ye sleep , ocean`s a royal bed .
Am Dm Am F Am G7
rocked in the deep , flora will keep watch by your weary head .

repeat chorus

verse 3
amdmamfam
many`s the lad , fought on that day , well the claymore could wield .
amdmamfamg7
when the night came , silently lay , dead on culloden`s field .

repeat chorus

verse 4
amdmamfam
burned are our homes , exile and death , scatter the loyal men .
amdmamfamg7
yet , o`er the sword , cool in the sheath , charlie will come again .

repeat chorus