The Mingulay Boat Song

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  • Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
  • Harbottle and Jonas give a stunning performance of The Mingulay Boat Song live at Folk@thecornerHOUSE.
    #folk #folksong #harbottleandjonas #mingulay #traditional

КОМЕНТАРІ • 231

  • @margmckay3257
    @margmckay3257 Рік тому +70

    I learned this song at primary schools and I am 80 years of age I often sing sing today👏🥳🧤

    • @HarbottleAndJonas
      @HarbottleAndJonas Рік тому +1

    • @blahblahblah85
      @blahblahblah85 Рік тому +6

      I still play it. I'm 70. Lovely . Well done..

    • @kais.7075
      @kais.7075 Рік тому +7

      I am learning it now at age 37. My son, age 4, loves it. It will be passed on :)

    • @cosh5
      @cosh5 Рік тому +4

      I learned it at primary school in the 1970s.

    • @douglasherron7534
      @douglasherron7534 Рік тому +3

      @@cosh5 Same here, along with many other traditional Scots folk tunes.
      No doubt this has been binned by the SNP in their drive for "diversity" and so they can spend the time asking primary school kids about their sex lives and gender identity!

  • @michaelbird3887
    @michaelbird3887 Рік тому +36

    I believe this is one of the few remaining "boat-pulling" songs, giving the rhythm to the oarsmen ....

  • @lyndoherty909
    @lyndoherty909 Рік тому +50

    Delightful! Lovely to hear young people continuing traditional folk music.

  • @andycope5601
    @andycope5601 Рік тому +32

    Yep, definitely a great rendition of a Scots classic! Beautiful voice and harmony. Simple but effective.

    • @HarbottleAndJonas
      @HarbottleAndJonas Рік тому

      Thank you Andy!

    • @pamelahay6242
      @pamelahay6242 Рік тому +1

      Lovely traditional song first heard 50 years ago but not much in recent decades. Almost a hymn when sung together by a singing audience. Thank you.

  • @duncanallaire2392
    @duncanallaire2392 Рік тому +21

    this wrenched tears out of me after many long years of not being able to cry. thank you.

    • @HarbottleAndJonas
      @HarbottleAndJonas Рік тому +1

      Wow! Thank you for sharing x

    • @samurguybriyongtan146
      @samurguybriyongtan146 Рік тому +2

      Bless you, Duncan. May they flow freely and more often for the sake of your tender heart.

    • @timh3561
      @timh3561 Рік тому +1

      Ya takin the michael

  • @scotslassie6991
    @scotslassie6991 Рік тому +8

    Nice version thanks love from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 ❤

  • @alancrabb
    @alancrabb Рік тому +8

    And that is how just two people can fill a hall with glorious sound : wonderful musicianship.

  • @philipgrier9376
    @philipgrier9376 Рік тому +20

    Wonderful. We were taught to sing this in school in the 1950's. Great to hear it again

    • @HarbottleAndJonas
      @HarbottleAndJonas Рік тому

      Cheers Philip!

    • @monkeynuts1806
      @monkeynuts1806 Рік тому +1

      Same here - we had a weekly singing lesson in the 1950's, and this is one of the many songs we were taught. This brought back memories - and a few tears

  • @Tocsin-Bang
    @Tocsin-Bang Рік тому +3

    I'd almost forgotten this song. We learned it in UK primary school in the late 1950s, with our teacher "Polly" Roden.

  • @timh3561
    @timh3561 Рік тому +1

    One of, if not the greatest, version ever.

  • @derpiper25
    @derpiper25 Рік тому +25

    Absolutely hypnotic - such a beautiful tune performed perfectly!! Thank you so much.

  • @oldbikerbear
    @oldbikerbear Рік тому +32

    My God this is beautiful. The song and the voices.

  • @CedarAshCanvas
    @CedarAshCanvas Рік тому +15

    Had this on semi-repeat for a few days while I split wood for next winter. Thank-you much for the harmonies and musicianship. Northern Ontario. Really lovely.

  • @pauly2847
    @pauly2847 Рік тому +3

    I used to listen to this sung by The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem . Brings a tear to the eye.

  • @tribulationcoming
    @tribulationcoming Рік тому +1

    Because someone is willing to bring, to carry, to transport, to conceal such tradition until it is time to show what past is. Truly a beautiful exposition, as a circle unbroken.

  • @johnlewis8664
    @johnlewis8664 Рік тому +1

    I was lucky enough to go to Mingulay when I was younger. Beautiful island and a beautiful song.

  • @jasonscott8323
    @jasonscott8323 Рік тому +38

    Oh my. What a gem of a song. Never heard this till now and I’m hooked. Such a vibe from it. Feeling very emotional listening. Thank you 💗

  • @terrynpiper7667
    @terrynpiper7667 Рік тому +13

    I have been playing this tune on my Northumbrian Small pipes for years but this is the first time I have heard it sung. I now realise that I have been playing it too fast. Thank you.

    • @robertlonergan9401
      @robertlonergan9401 Рік тому +3

      I have been aware of this song for a long time as I heard it sung a capella in a pub in Dingle, Kerry,Ireland. Four piece vocals to die for, but this is right up there! Thanks.

    • @HarbottleAndJonas
      @HarbottleAndJonas Рік тому +4

      I think we play it slow to be fair!

    • @HarbottleAndJonas
      @HarbottleAndJonas Рік тому +1

      @@robertlonergan9401 Very kind of you!

    • @robertlonergan9401
      @robertlonergan9401 Рік тому +5

      This is true as a lot of shanties and related songs were used as a way of getting the crew working in unison and developing a bond through song.

    • @Doug-xt7bn
      @Doug-xt7bn Рік тому +6

      This is much slower than I’ve ever heard it played or sung although it’s beautiful and so mournful like this. When played faster it has a different kind of energy and feeling.
      Sends a shiver down my spine whichever way it’s played

  • @jimajello1028
    @jimajello1028 Рік тому +23

    My Great Grandfather was a sea Captain in the 1800's. He would have loved this if written during his time period. However, my Dad used to play this song on mandolin with his Dad. The Sea was in their blood because they both were Steamship Brokers. Well done! Thank you.👍

  • @Lamprolign
    @Lamprolign Рік тому +2

    I've been on the sea in a small craft in stormy weather many times and this song has seen me home.

  • @judypountney9648
    @judypountney9648 Рік тому +2

    This literally took my breath away! I realized I was so mesmerized that I was holding my breath. This is absolutely beautiful.

  • @delta7155
    @delta7155 Рік тому +4

    Distant Mingulay, deserted by its people in 1912 and now a bird sanctuary!

  • @markperkins9437
    @markperkins9437 Рік тому +5

    Makes me wish I was Scottish!

  • @darknevangelist
    @darknevangelist Рік тому +21

    I love this song. I didnt know it was Scottish though, so thanks for that info.

    • @almac2598
      @almac2598 Рік тому +9

      The clue is in the title - Mingulay.

  • @cardbuddy4988
    @cardbuddy4988 9 місяців тому +1

    This listener across the ocean has no idea what a Minch is, but what a beautiful song. Beautifully sung by you both.

    • @douglasscott7614
      @douglasscott7614 8 місяців тому +3

      The Minches are a couple of straits between the Hebrides and Scotland! There's a big one and a small one

    • @tullochgorum6323
      @tullochgorum6323 5 місяців тому

      @@douglasscott7614 And to understand the emotion of the song the listener should know that it's regarded as one of the most dangerous waterways in the world. So the waiting wives had good reason to be worried! Another gorgeous song on the same theme is Fear a Batha: ua-cam.com/video/A5muVg_ZWek/v-deo.html

  • @patrickdaly5068
    @patrickdaly5068 9 місяців тому

    This is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. As some others indicated, the performance is absolutely mesmerizing. There’s so much feeling in the vocals and the tune itself. Thank you so much.

  • @candsoshea3566
    @candsoshea3566 Рік тому +3

    Makes us proud of our fathers who chanced the seas and our mothers who waited at the key side. Ha celts ah

  • @kevinmcnamee6006
    @kevinmcnamee6006 Рік тому +8

    It's a great song. Excellent performance of it. Thanks...

  • @georgezink8256
    @georgezink8256 Рік тому +2

    First time I’ve ever heard this person singing

  • @pdxyadayada
    @pdxyadayada Рік тому +4

    A favorite sea song for decades..nicely done!

  • @Bikergerbil
    @Bikergerbil Рік тому +3

    Lovely, one of my faves.

  • @anthonywhitmarsh3032
    @anthonywhitmarsh3032 Рік тому

    Can almost feel I'm at sea on slow rolling waves! Great song that I learnt at primary school.

  • @jackdonnelly6119
    @jackdonnelly6119 Рік тому

    Just beautiful, utterly uplifting!

  • @mikesanderson5940
    @mikesanderson5940 Рік тому +8

    Absolutely lovely!

  • @georgezink8256
    @georgezink8256 Рік тому +4

    Awesome thanks for sharing beautiful folk music

  • @pierreconreaux4086
    @pierreconreaux4086 Рік тому +6

    Je vois Madame que dans votre voix , il y a une simplicité qui me touche. No more lynchage but a one celtic mélodie that's mean liberty! No more black and white , only multicolore slainte I love. your musique ..

  • @billwilliams7566
    @billwilliams7566 4 місяці тому

    I love this tune. Well done.

  • @johnhutchison2268
    @johnhutchison2268 Рік тому

    One the Corries greats and beautiful sung here

  • @JamesRattray
    @JamesRattray Рік тому +7

    Wow that was so powerful. Harbottle (is that her name) was so elegant, a really great introduction. Love the fact you live in the south, as with the song being sung in the south, I too have left Scotland after 50 years. Thank you.

  • @jimchastain6840
    @jimchastain6840 Рік тому +38

    Beautiful rendition of this classic song! You guys nailed it!! Please post the lyrics so new people can sing along! You sound amazing! Keep posting songs!!!

    • @johnmitchell1614
      @johnmitchell1614 Рік тому +4

      You'll find the words if you look online. I did. Best regards. 🙃

    • @HarbottleAndJonas
      @HarbottleAndJonas Рік тому

      Thank you Jim! www.youtube.com/@HarbottleAndJonas

    • @PeterVanDoren-u3j
      @PeterVanDoren-u3j Рік тому +1

      Wikipedia gives both the original lyrics which they use here, as well as more recent versions which are more nautically accurate.
      A beautiful song.

  • @billmac57
    @billmac57 Рік тому +1

    Beautiful rendition of a traditional song, just a few weeks ago I learned there is no harbour on Mingulay, you land on the beach or the rocks.

  • @georgesteadwood7845
    @georgesteadwood7845 Рік тому +10

    Fantastic rendition of a beautiful piece

  • @kathrynhobbs8874
    @kathrynhobbs8874 5 місяців тому

    Forever Robin Hall, Jimmy Mcgreggor and the Galliards ❤️

  • @antoine010101
    @antoine010101 8 місяців тому

    Thanks so much. I love you both, your music sound Amazing to me. I coved it strait away for busking me singing and my accordion ... Send you much love from France. So good vibes in Scotland.. one day a gonna sail to visit you.

  • @jeanrobinson705
    @jeanrobinson705 6 місяців тому +1

    In fact it isn't a traditional Scottish folk song, it was written in 1936 by Sir Hugh Roberton, who also wrote "All in the April Evening".

  • @johnrodgers6250
    @johnrodgers6250 Рік тому +18

    Absolutely loved it! Thank you so much for posting

  • @maviedanslevent
    @maviedanslevent Рік тому +1

    Wow. Thank you.

  • @dr.wianmeintjes9028
    @dr.wianmeintjes9028 Рік тому +3

    Beautiful

  • @tdc1991x
    @tdc1991x Рік тому

    Beautiful performance. Brings back memories of my grandpa singing this to me while I sat on his knee as a wee boy. Always makes me slightly emotional.

  • @michaelslack4937
    @michaelslack4937 Рік тому +13

    Hauntingly beautiful...thank you!

  • @peterrandall9523
    @peterrandall9523 Рік тому +15

    Beautiful song, sung beautifully. Takes me back to when I first heard this, a lifetime ago now. Gorgeous 👏👏👏

  • @vka82055
    @vka82055 Рік тому +1

    Beautiful ❣ Such a pure, rich voice with nice harmony ~ thank you!

  • @brucecollins641
    @brucecollins641 Рік тому

    grand version.

  • @rayhoward8188
    @rayhoward8188 Рік тому +1

    ❤ WOW BRILLIANT 👏 EXCELLENT RAY TWELVE STRINGS.

  • @peterlarge8051
    @peterlarge8051 Рік тому +3

    I learnt this song over 60 years sgo and is one I sing in Gaelic so beutiful

    • @HarbottleAndJonas
      @HarbottleAndJonas Рік тому

      Would love to hear that!!

    • @bonnieanne5483
      @bonnieanne5483 Рік тому

      I was about to ask about the lyrics in Scots Gaidhlig. How would I find that, please! Tapadh leibh!

  • @martinplaysmartin
    @martinplaysmartin Рік тому +1

    I am fascinated... Listening to you again and again...

  • @dianefarrell2343
    @dianefarrell2343 Рік тому

    This is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!!!❤

  • @RobertPalomoMusic
    @RobertPalomoMusic 9 місяців тому

    Lovely concertina!

  • @mikejones8892
    @mikejones8892 Рік тому +2

    Beautiful very atmospheric and captures the rhythm of a sailing ship.

  • @Gusto7333
    @Gusto7333 Рік тому +5

    One of my dad's l miss dad singing he would have loved this we could have had a wee sing along

  • @tonyclack5901
    @tonyclack5901 Рік тому +5

    Very nice, great harmony's .

  • @jfrakers
    @jfrakers Рік тому +5

    Beautiful harmonies!

  • @morgan7023
    @morgan7023 8 місяців тому

    love this

  • @davidcwilson1395
    @davidcwilson1395 Рік тому +2

    Totally beautiful !!!!

  • @wyohusker
    @wyohusker Рік тому +2

    Enjoyed the music while enjoying a dram of single malt.

  • @richnewman5478
    @richnewman5478 Рік тому

    WONDERFUL!!!!

  • @mattgowans5121
    @mattgowans5121 Рік тому +3

    Hi form Scotland

  • @edwardfitzpatrick9004
    @edwardfitzpatrick9004 Рік тому +10

    Very nice, well done.

  • @fredmoss3515
    @fredmoss3515 Рік тому +5

    Wonderful.

  • @unclephil440
    @unclephil440 Рік тому +3

    Great video. Thanks for sharing.

  • @braithmiller
    @braithmiller Рік тому +2

    Fine!

  • @TheTomnewman
    @TheTomnewman Рік тому +2

    lovely . . . .

  • @eofolk7754
    @eofolk7754 Рік тому

    Stunning

  • @SuperMikey001
    @SuperMikey001 Рік тому +9

    Beautiful rendition , Thank You

  • @johnboswell3583
    @johnboswell3583 Рік тому

    Beautiful.

  • @BillyBones4365
    @BillyBones4365 Рік тому

    Beautiful harmonies and song

  • @garyhaigh797
    @garyhaigh797 Рік тому +1

    This was by far the best i have ever listened to. Do you play live and if so can i buy some tickets amazing

  • @graceh2684
    @graceh2684 Рік тому +4

    Lovely. 💕

  • @janicewhite1113
    @janicewhite1113 Рік тому +1

    love it

  • @paulboger7377
    @paulboger7377 Рік тому

    Why have I only heard this now? ❤️🇦🇺

  • @barbarakyle5663
    @barbarakyle5663 Рік тому

    Love it! Go around the house singing it( not as well as the two on my screen! 3:26 😊

  • @NSResponder
    @NSResponder Рік тому +3

    Lovely.

  • @beckymccreary592
    @beckymccreary592 Рік тому +4

    Awesome. Thank you for sharing.

  • @elizabeth10392
    @elizabeth10392 Рік тому +2

    Very pretty. ❤

  • @ladymeghenderson9337
    @ladymeghenderson9337 Рік тому +1

    My mum taught me this

  • @gavinmackay
    @gavinmackay Рік тому

    According to my late father, a Leodhasach and native gaelic speaker, the original (gaelic) words sung to this tune were about hunting red deer - and nothing at all to do with boats or the sea.

  • @1959Ginky
    @1959Ginky Рік тому

    Hauntingly beautiful, would appreciate knowing the name of these particular instruments, though I'm familiar with them, I've never actually learned their correct identity.

    • @JayPhilips
      @JayPhilips Рік тому

      The stringed instrument is a cittern (see comment @HarbottleAndJonas to @bertspeggly4428 below) and Freya Jonas plays I think C/G 30-button Anglo concertina.

  • @NotoriusMaximus
    @NotoriusMaximus Рік тому

    Adequate!

  • @paulmitchell3877
    @paulmitchell3877 Рік тому +7

    This is fantastic. Is the 2nd snappy piece also the Mingulay Boat Song?

    • @HarbottleAndJonas
      @HarbottleAndJonas Рік тому +4

      The tune is ‘Hut on Staffin Island’ by Phil Cunningham

    • @bushidodog
      @bushidodog Рік тому +2

      Getting a real Gillian Welch/David Rawlings vibe, kids. That's a good thing ❤😊

    • @HarbottleAndJonas
      @HarbottleAndJonas Рік тому +2

      @@bushidodog bloody hell, that’s a compliment and a half!

    • @paulmitchell3877
      @paulmitchell3877 Рік тому +2

      @@bushidodog I see what you mean

  • @bertspeggly4428
    @bertspeggly4428 Рік тому +2

    What is that instrument? A cross between a mandolin and a Portuguese guitar! Sounds lovely.👍👍👌

  • @aydnatac4336
    @aydnatac4336 3 місяці тому

    You are the best performancer among the same song's singing.
    Next time ,try to record the song from real fishing boat.

  • @johnsinnott6179
    @johnsinnott6179 Рік тому +2

    😊😊😊😊😊🎵

  • @robertwmarwin2018
    @robertwmarwin2018 Рік тому +1

    Listen to the “longest John’s”. Version

  • @mtskull59
    @mtskull59 Рік тому

    Traditional Folk Songs are handed down from one generation to the next over hundreds, if not thousands of years.
    This was written in the 1930’s by a professional composer, 26 years after the last inhabitant abandoned the island of Mingulay.
    By all means enjoy it for what it is but don’t fool yourselves as to its origins.

    • @NekonataVirino
      @NekonataVirino Рік тому

      So, as things stand it’s almost a hundred years ago and being sung in sing-arounds and folk clubs by people - the very definition of folk music
      In addition i’ve been singing this myself for over fifty years and I learned it from someone two generations older than me and have taught it to my grand-son - so thats 5 generations right there
      As for your ridiculous assertion of proper folk songs being sung for ‘thousands of years’ what a load of old tosh - ‘sumer is a cumin in’ pretty much the oldest extant folk song from this country that we have concrete evidence for is only mid 13th century -ie not yet a thousand years. If you disregard anything later than that then there simply is not British folk scene at all.

  • @Dunbardoddy
    @Dunbardoddy Рік тому +6

    Listed on Wikipedia are the lyrics of a few different versions - starting with the original lyrics :- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mingulay_Boat_Song

  • @dizzywilliams3557
    @dizzywilliams3557 Рік тому +4

    Where does the drone come from? Is that a 5 course octave mandolin?
    Lovely sounds!!!

    • @josiahwhitesell154
      @josiahwhitesell154 Рік тому +3

      The drone is a harmonium

    • @HarbottleAndJonas
      @HarbottleAndJonas Рік тому +1

      Harmonium! It is a cittern, thank you very much x

    • @joeldcanfield_spinhead
      @joeldcanfield_spinhead Рік тому +1

      @@HarbottleAndJonas Ah, interesting. I've only seen (in my limited experience) 4-course citterns. Deadly! Since I know a chap can make me a workmanlike version of one, what would be the tuning on this one you're playing here? (Also, this is the only version I've ever heard of this sone since learning it from a Clancy Brothers album half a century ago; lovely.)

    • @HarbottleAndJonas
      @HarbottleAndJonas Рік тому

      @@joeldcanfield_spinhead I think putting a bit of personality into a song is in the spirit of folk music. It’s funny how our ‘slow’ interpretation upsets some people! I tune it GDADA

    • @joeldcanfield_spinhead
      @joeldcanfield_spinhead Рік тому +1

      @@HarbottleAndJonas I've always believed that if you don't bring something new or personal to a song, you haven't done it justice. Saw a California group called Leftover Cuties perform "You Are My Sunshine" which doesn't sound all that exciting, except the very first line made it clear they were doing it in a minor key-and it was perfect. Somehow, I'd never heard it done that way before, and suddenly it wasn't just a song to sing to babies anymore.

  • @davidgriffin7469
    @davidgriffin7469 Рік тому +5

    Private Frazer came from Mingulay,

    • @wildscotsman1
      @wildscotsman1 Рік тому +3

      He was claimed to be from Barra, near but not Mingulay.

  • @leighcecil3322
    @leighcecil3322 Рік тому +2

    . Many of the sea shantys are Scottish... when many Scottish lads where gang pressed.. onto to english ships after the Jacobite wars 😢..🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

    • @Lynnefromlyn
      @Lynnefromlyn Рік тому

      Ya just had to get one in didnt ya? Typical!

  • @henryroscoe2464
    @henryroscoe2464 Рік тому +3

    Very good version but, asthis is originally a boat pulling song, designed to give the oarsmen the rhythm, it was meant to have a more , “Spirited”, tempo to be effective as a work song!

    • @coinneachmaclellan3121
      @coinneachmaclellan3121 Рік тому +1

      I love Scottish music but I wasn't aware that there was such a thing as "boat pulling music". Thanks for the info...Slainte Mhath.

    • @henryroscoe2464
      @henryroscoe2464 Рік тому

      @@coinneachmaclellan3121 it comes under the genre of work songs, but it was specifically designed to give the oarsmen their rhythm. Slainte!

    • @coinneachmaclellan3121
      @coinneachmaclellan3121 Рік тому +1

      @henryroscoe2464 I've listened to the Scottish 'waulking' songs which I've really been impressed by as well as Gaelic Psalms which have such an otherworldly quality to them...the Scots never fail to impress me with the soulful quality of their music be it pipe bands or bands like Runrig and Wolfstone.

  • @janicejugla959
    @janicejugla959 Рік тому +3

    Not sung in the same notes as I learned as a child . Worth listening to other versions

    • @stiggibson4194
      @stiggibson4194 Рік тому +2

      @janicejugla959 Such a shame to botch up this beautiful song and have the gall to upload it to you tube.