Mingulay Boat Song
Steam Jenny Lyrics
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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 by Steam Jenny is a traditional Scottish folk song that describes a group of seafarers who are returning home to the island of Mingulay. The song is sung by the sailors as they work together to navigate the rough seas, with the refrain "Heel ya ho, boys, let her go, boys" repeating throughout the song to urge the crew on. The lyrics create a vivid image of the journey home, with mentions of the wind and weather, as well as the wives waiting for their husbands back on shore.
Despite the danger and harsh conditions, the sailors remain focused on their goal of returning to Mingulay, which is portrayed as their true home. The lyrics express a sense of pride and connection to the island, as well as a longing to be reunited with loved ones. The song can be interpreted as a celebration of seafaring and the resilience of those who make their living on the ocean.
Line by Line Meaning
Heel ya ho, boys, let her go, boys
Pull together, lads, and release the vessel
Heave her head round to the weather
Turn the ship's head into the wind and waves
Sailing homeward to Mingulay
Heading back to the island of Mingulay
What care we though white the Minch is
We don't worry about how choppy the sea is
What care we boys the wind and weather
We don't care about the wind and weather conditions
When we know that, every inch is
As long as we're getting closer to Mingulay
Closer homeward to Mingulay
Getting closer to home on Mingulay
Wives are waiting by the pierhead
Our wives are anxiously awaiting our return at the pier
Gazing seaward from the heather
Looking out to sea from the fields of heather
Heave ahead round and we'll anchor
Turn the ship around and drop anchor
Ere the sun sets on Mingulay
Before the sun goes down on Mingulay
Contributed by Hannah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.