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The Tay Boat Song

from Like the river by Alex MacDonald

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about

My father had a bad stutter when he spoke. But he had a great singing voice (far better than mine) and he had no speech impediment when he sang, whether precenting the Psalms or singing at weddings and ceilidhs. The Tay Boat Song was one of his best. This is a different arrangement and was recorded live.

lyrics

TAY BOAT SONG

When I've done my work of day and I row my boat away
Down the waters of Loch Tay when the evening light is falling
And I look upon Ben Lawers where the after-glories glow
I dream of two bright eyes and a melting mouth below

She's my beauteous Nighean Ruagh she's my joy and sorrow too
For I doubt she is not true but I cannot live without her
And my heart's a boat in tow and I'd give the world to know
If she means to let me go, as I sing heree horo

Nighean Ruagh your lovely hair has more glamour I declare
Than all the tresses fair from Killin to Aberfeldy
Be they lint-white, gold or brown, be they blacker than the sloe
They are no more worth to me than the melting flake of snow

Her glance is like the gleam of the sunlight on the stream
Like the songs the fairies sing like the songs they sing at milking
But my heart is full of woe for this night she bade me go
And the tears begin to flow as I sing heree horo

Traditional

credits

from Like the river, released October 4, 2008
Alex MacDonald: vocals, guitar, and harmonica

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Alex MacDonald Edinburgh, UK

Grew up in Kildonan Strath, Sutherland, where I loved the psalms and hymns and the old folk songs my father had learned from his drover grand uncle.Went on to Cash, the Clancys and Corries, Tom Paxton and Dylan. Started playing guitar and writing songs in my teens, but only started recording this century with my rock band sons! Either solo or with my band, I've played all over Scotland. ... more

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