He continues to write and record new material and performs live frequently throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia.
Thompson was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to music. On 5 July 2011, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy honoris causa was conferred on Thompson by the University of Aberdeen, in a ceremony at the University's Elphinstone Hall.
Mingulay Boat Song
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heave her head round to the weather
Heel ya ho, boys, let her go, boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay
What care we though white the Minch is
What care we boys the wind and weather
When we know that, every inch is
Heel ya ho, boys, let her go, boys
Heave her head round to the weather
Heel ya ho, boys, let her go, boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay
Wives are waiting by the pierhead
Gazing seaward from the heather
Heave ahead round and we'll anchor
Ere the sun sets on Mingulay
Heel ya ho, boys, let her go, boys
Heave her head round to the weather
Heel ya ho, boys, let her go, boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay
Sailing homeward to Mingulay
The Mingulay Boat Song is a traditional Scottish folk song, also known as the "Island of Mingulay." The song is about fishermen sailing towards their home of Mingulay, located in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The chorus of the song serves as a sea shanty for sailors as they work the ropes, heaving the sails, and navigating their way home through the dangerous waters of the Minch, a strait separating the mainland of Scotland from the islands of the Inner and Outer Hebrides.
The song reflects the sense of longing for home and the excitement of returning to one's loved ones after a long journey. It describes the sailors' disregard for the harsh winds and weather of the Minch, as they are confident that every inch they sail brings them closer to loved ones on the island of Mingulay. The wives of the fishermen wait anxiously at the pierhead, searching the horizon for the return of their loved ones.
The song provides a glimpse of the culture and rugged lifestyle of the Scottish fishermen, who brave the rough seas to provide for their families. It has been performed by numerous artists, including The Corries, The Dubliners, and Richard Thompson.
Line by Line Meaning
Heel ya ho, boys, let her go, boys
Let's get going, guys! Start sailing.
Heave her head round to the weather
Turn the bow of the ship into the wind.
Sailing homeward to Mingulay
We're heading back to Mingulay, our home.
What care we though white the Minch is
We don't care how rough the seas are (Minch is a channel between mainland Scotland and the Outer Hebrides).
What care we boys the wind and weather
We don't care about the wind or weather conditions.
When we know that, every inch is
Because we know that with every inch we travel, we're getting closer to Mingulay.
Closer homeward to Mingulay
Getting closer to our home.
Wives are waiting by the pierhead
Our wives are waiting for us at the pierhead.
Gazing seaward from the heather
They are looking out to sea, waiting for us to return.
Heave ahead round and we'll anchor
We will turn the ship and drop anchor.
Ere the sun sets on Mingulay
Before the sun sets on Mingulay, we will anchor and disembark.
Writer(s): Richard John Copyright: Beeswing Music
Contributed by Lillian K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ken Soehn
on Love in a Faithless Country
At a show at the Culch (The Vancouver East Cultural Centre) decades ago, Thompson said the song was inspired by two British serial killers, who seemed to be inspiring each other through the newspapers. Now you know why it sounds so spooky.
Mark Apelman
on Devonside
Not sure what this song means, but I love the feeling of it.