The Skye Boat Song chords
by The CorriesSong Key: Eb Major
Time Signature: 3/4
Tempo: 140 bpm
Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e
Skill Level: Beginner
Guitar Chords in D Major: D, Bm, Em, A, A7
Capo: 1st fret (to play along with the video in Eb Major)
Play-Along Video & Chord Charts
Play-Along Video
R-H Chord Charts
L-H Chord Charts
The Skye Boat Song
Capo on 1 if playing with the videoSong Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key
D
Intro: 3/4 ‖ ‖... x 4
D A D G D A
‖: Mm... | % | | % | | | | :‖
D A
Chorus: Speed bon-nie boat like a bird on the wing
D G D A
On-ward the sail-ors cry. | |
D A
Car-ry the lad that's born to be king
D G D A
O-ver the sea to Skye. | |
D A
1. Loud the wind howls Loud the waves roar
G Bm
Thun-der-claps rend the air | % |
D A
Baf-fled our foes Stand by the shore
G Bm A7
Fol-low they will not dare | |
D A
Chorus: Speed bon-nie boat like a bird on the wing
D G D A
On-ward the sail-ors cry. | |
D A
Car-ry the lad that's born to be king
D G D A
O-ver the sea to Skye. | |
D A
2. Ma-ny's the lad Fought on that day
G Bm
Well the clay-more did wield | % |
D A
When the night came Si-lent-ly lay
G Bm A7
Dead on Cul-lo-den field | |
D A
Chorus: Speed bon-nie boat like a bird on the wing
D G D A
On-ward the sail-ors cry. | |
D A
Car-ry the lad that's born to be king
D G D A
O-ver the sea to Skye. | |
D A
3. Though the waves leap Soft will he sleep
G Bm
O-cean's a ro-yal bed | % |
D A
Rocked in the deep Flo-ra will keep
G Bm A7
Watch by your wea-ry head | |
D A
Chorus: Speed bon-nie boat like a bird on the wing
D G D A
On-ward the sail-ors cry. | |
D A
Car-ry the lad that's born to be king
D G D A
O-ver the sea to Skye. | |
D A G
Outro: | Mm... | % | | % | | % | % | % |
D A G D
Outro: | Mm... | % | | % | | % | | % | Arrangement Details:
- Key Signature: Eb Major – 3 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab)
- Piano chords set: Eb, Cm, Fm, Bb, Bb7
- Time Signature: 3/4 — Three quarter-note beats per measure
- Tempo: Moderately
- Metronome: ♩ = 140
- Voice Range: Bb3 – Bb4
- Chord Types in This Guitar Arrangement:
- Major chords: D, A
- Minor chords: Bm, Em
- Dominant 7th chord: A7
| Chord | In D Major? | Chord Type | Function / Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | Yes | I (Major) | Tonic (home chord) |
| A | Yes | V (Major) | Dominant (leads to tonic) |
| Bm | Yes | vi (Minor) | Tonic substitute (relative minor) |
| Em | Yes | ii (Minor) | Predominant (sets up the dominant) |
| A7 | Yes | Dominant 7th | Primary Dominant (Diatonic) |
Song Details:
The Skye Boat Song" is based on a traditional Scottish air, and it's often credited to Anne Campbelle MacLeod, who collected and adapted the melody. The tune itself may have originated as a rowing or boat song.
Sir Harold Edwin Boulton, 2nd Baronet, wrote the now-famous lyrics in the late 19th century, with the song being first published in 1884. His version of the lyrics reflects the romanticized escape of Bonnie Prince Charlie (Charles Edward Stuart) after the Jacobite defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. The prince was famously aided by Flora MacDonald in his escape to the Isle of Skye.
- Lyrics Begin: Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing, onward the sailors cry.
- Genre: Traditional Scottish Folk Song
- Featured Artists: The Corries
- Album: Scottish Love Songs
Released: May 9, 1970
Country: UK
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Black Label, Gatefold
Label: Fontana
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