Mingulay Boat Song

We are workers at the hawser
We are workers since break of day
We are workers at the hawser
As the sun sets on Mingulay

Heel y’ho boys, let her go, boys
Bring her head ‘round into the weather
Heel y’ho boys, let her go, boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay

What care we though white the Minch is
What care we for wind and weather?
Let her go boys, every inch is
Sailing homeward to Mingulay

Heel y’ho boys, let her go, boys
Bring her head ‘round into the weather
Heel y’ho boys, let her go, boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay

Wives are waiting by the pier head
Or looking seaward from the heather
Pull her ‘round boys, then you’ll anchor
‘Ere the sun sets on Mingulay

Heel y’ho boys, let her go, boys
Bring her head ‘round into the weather
Heel y’ho boys, let her go, boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay

Ships return now, heavy laden
Mothers holdin’ bairns a-cryin’
They’ll return though, when the sun sets
They’ll return to Mingulay

Heel y’ho boys, let her go, boys
Bring her head ‘round into the weather
Heel y’ho boys, let her go, boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay

Heel y’ho boys, let her go, boys
Bring her head ‘round into the weather
Heel y’ho boys, let her go, boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay

Heel y’ho boys, let her go, boys
Bring her head ‘round into the weather
Heel y’ho boys, let her go, boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay