The Skye Boat Song
Soul Music
BBC
4.7 • 831 Ratings
🗓️ 8 October 2012
⏱️ 28 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
The Skye Boat Song brings back a wealth of childhood memories for many.
The words "Speed Bonnie Boat Like a Bird on the Wing" tell the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s escape to the Isle of Skye - dressed as a maid - after defeat at the battle of Culloden.
Originally written by Sir Harold Boulton and Anne MacLeod back in the 1870's, we explore the song’s beauty and how it continues to touch people's lives across the world in very different ways.
The Queen's Piper, who has played it in happy and sad times, recalls his rendition outside the Queen's window and leading Princess Margaret's cortege.
A New Zealand artist shares his memories of time spent with his father, and the sound of him whistling the song on their way home as dusk fell. A sailor from the Isle of Skye, describes his connection with the spirituality of piece and the Loch on which he sails.
Acclaimed violinist Tasmin Little shares her own arrangement of the piece and explains why it works so well musically.
An Australian mum, tells how important this song has been in connecting with the two girls she has adopted from China.
Gaelic singer Maggie MacInnes tells the history of the piece.
Featuring music by Julian Lloyd Webber, The Corries and Pete Lashley.
Series exploring famous pieces of music and their emotional appeal.
Producer: Rachel Matthews
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2012.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Before you listen to this BBC podcast, I'd like to quickly tell you about some others. |
| 0:05.1 | My name's Andy Martin and I'm the editor of a team of podcast producers at the BBC in Northern Ireland. |
| 0:11.3 | It's a job I really love because we get to tell the stories that really matter to people here, |
| 0:16.2 | but which also resonate and apply to listeners around the world. |
| 0:19.6 | And because the team has such a diverse |
| 0:21.1 | range of skills and strengths, we've trained journalists, people who love digging through |
| 0:25.9 | archives, we've got drama and even comedy experts. We really can do those stories justice. So if |
| 0:31.8 | you like this podcast, head to BBC Sounds where you'll find plenty more fascinating stories |
| 0:37.0 | from all around the UK. |
| 0:39.4 | You're listening to a programme from BBC Radio 4. |
| 0:44.0 | The Sky Boat Song takes my mind to the place which I consider the most beautiful place on earth, |
| 0:50.6 | the source of the Sky Boat Song, Loch Carusk. |
| 1:03.7 | Music the source of the skyboat song Loch Karusk. I think the strength of the melody and the simplicity of the words |
| 1:07.4 | meant that people were drawn to it. |
| 1:14.6 | Yeah. of the words meant that people were drawn to it. The tune is just, it's lulling and it's stirring. |
| 1:24.3 | I didn't even know what it was called. |
| 1:26.3 | I just knew the tune. |
| 1:27.3 | It wasn't until years later that I found it was actually had a name. |
| 1:31.9 | I've played it in the Vatican for the Pope. |
| 1:34.1 | I've played it for the Queen in numerous occasions. |
| 1:36.4 | I've never seen the Sky Boat song actually written down. |
| 1:39.5 | It was something that I've learnt literally by ear. |
... |
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