We are workers at the hawser
We are workers since break of day
We are workers at the hawser
As the sun sets on Mingulay
Heel y’ho boys, let her go, boys
Bring her head round into the weather
Heel y’ho boys, let her go boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay
What care we though white the Minch is
What care we for wind and weather?
Let her go boys, every inch is
Sailing homeward to Mingulay
Heel y’ho boys, let her go, boys
Bring her head round into the weather
Heel y’ho boys, let her go boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay
Wives are waiting by the pier head
or looking seaward from the heather.
Pull her ’round boys, and we’ll anchor
‘ere the sun sets on Mingulay
Heel y’ho boys, let her go, boys
Bring her head round into the weather
Heel y’ho boys, let her go boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay
Ships return now, heavy laden
Mothers holdin’ their bairns a-cryin’
They’ll return though, when the sun sets
They’ll return back to Mingulay
Heel y’ho boys, let her go, boys
Bring her head round into the weather
Heel y’ho boys, let her go boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay