| The Skye Boat Song is a traditional Scottish song. It | | | | Thunderclaps rend the air; |
| tells the story of the escape of Bonnie Prince Charlie | | | | Baffled, our foes stand by the shore, |
| to the Isle of Skye after his defeat at the Battle of | | | | Follow they will not dare. |
| Culloden in 1746. He traveled in disguise with the help | | | | Repeat Chorus |
| of Flora McDonald. | | | | To play the song on the piano you are going to use |
| The song begins with the chorus. Each verse is then | | | | the range of one octave (8 notes). The lowest note is |
| sung with the chorus between. Here are the lyrics: | | | | G and the highest note is G. Place both thumbs on |
| Chorus | | | | Middle C. The right hand will cover the notes Middle C, |
| Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing, | | | | D, E, F and G. The left hand will cover the notes |
| Onward! the sailors cry; | | | | directly below Middle C. They will be B, A and G. To |
| Carry the lad that's born to be King | | | | help distinguish the right and left notes, the left hand |
| Over the sea to Skye. | | | | notes will be written in lower case. So the B, A and G |
| Verse | | | | will be written as b, a and g. |
| Loud the winds howl, loud the waves roar, | | | | The song begins in the left hand. |