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I still have Scotland on my mind and hearing echoes in the glens. This tune is the same kind of crazy amalgam that Loch Lomand was, same time frame, but a sea shanty for a change up. This is still kind of a mash up as it was another off the cuff run at seeing if I could even play it through for a recording.

The tune is The Mingulay Boat Song written by Sir Hugh S. Roberton (1874–1952) in the 1930s. The melody is described in Roberton's Songs of the Isles as a traditional Gaelic tune, probably titled "Lochaber". The tune was part of an old Gaelic song, "Òran na Comhachaig" (the 'Creag Ghuanach' portion). The song describes fishermen sailing homeward to the isle of Mingulay (in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland) where their families wait. These days Mingulay is uninhabited and known mainly for it's wildlife, especially its nesting birds.

Mingulay is a very special place for me as well. Several of the ships I worked on would sail through the Minch - the body of water between the Inner and Outer Hebrides - if the weather wasn't impossible (and that's very subjective!), on the way up to and back from the Barents Sea - and pass Mingulay. One time we passed the island just around sunset, close aboard, in the middle of winter, good but absolutely freezing weather, and it is forever etched in my mind.

The song has been fairly well popularized by several folk groups over the years, along with updated lyrics. It's a bit reminiscent of the Farewell Shanty and many of these groups and versions sing it slow, more dirge like. Heading towards home on the many ships I sailed on was never downbeat, at all, so I play it a bit faster and more energetic. It's like singing in the shower when you're getting ready to make that trip down the gangway and see your wife and kids - definitely a joyous occasion.

Below are the original lyrics from Roberton. I think all of the folk groups dropped all references to the Minch because no one knew what it was referring to (and, from experience, it IS terribly fearsome in bad weather), and added an extra chorus on how bad the weather was but that was OK because they were homeward bound, which everyone can relate to.

Hill you ho, boys; Let her go, boys;
Bring her head round, now all together.
Hill you ho, boys; Let her go, boys;
Sailing home, home to Mingulay.

What care we though white the Minch is?
What care we for wind or weather?
Let her go boys! ev'ry inch is
Wearing home, home to Mingulay.

Wives are waiting on the bank, or
Looking seaward from the heather;
Pull her round boys! and we'll anchor,
Ere the sun sets at Mingulay.

Although I'm drawn to the historical development of the hurdy gurdy and playing traditional pieces, I am also interested in experimenting and the manipulation of sound. This is one of those experiments. Best listened to with good headphones or decent speakers. You just can't hear the details on small devices like phones, tablets or the like.