The Longest Johns

Mingulay Boat Song

The Longest Johns


Tom: F#

          F#
Heave her ho, boys
        F#
Let her go, boys
          C#                  B
Swing her head round into the weather
          F#
Heave her ho, boys
        F#
Let her go, boys
        C#               F#
Sailin' homeward to Mingulay


[Verse 1]

          F#
What care we though
          F#
White the Minch is
          C#                B
What care we boys for windy weather
        F#              F#              C#               F#
When we know that every inch is sailin' homeward to Mingulay


[Chorus]

          F#
Heave her ho, boys
        F#
Let her go, boys
          C#                  B
Swing her head round into the weather
          F#
Heave her ho, boys
        F#
Let her go, boys
        C#               F#
Sailin' homeward to Mingulay


[Verse 2]

          F#             F#
Wives are waiting by the pier-head
       C#               B
Gazing seaward from the heather
          F#
Bring her round, boys
           F#              C#               F#
Then we'll anchor, err the sun sets on Mingulay


[Chorus]

          F#
Heave her ho, boys
        F#
Let her go, boys
               C#              B
Swing her head round into the weather
          F#
Heave her ho, boys
        F#
Let her go, boys
        C#               F#
Sailin' homeward to Mingulay


[Verse 3]

        F#              F#
Ships return now, heavy-laden
         C#                   B
Mother's holdin', bairns are cryin'
          F#                 F#
They'll return yet, when the sun sets
        C#               F#
Sailin' homeward to Mingulay


[Chorus]

          F#
Heave her ho, boys
        F#
Let her go, boys
          C#                   B
Swing her head round into the weather
          F#
Heave her ho, boys
        F#
Let her go, boys
        C#               F#
Sailin' homeward to Mingulay

          F#
Heave her ho, boys
        F#
Let her go, boys
          C#                   B
Swing her head round into the weather
          F#
Heave her ho, boys
        F#
Let her go, boys
        C#              B A F#
Sailin' homeward to Mingulay