CONCERT INTRODUCTION

Marsha Shaines, Jan. 2020

 

Skye Boat Song is a 19th century Scottish song written about the escape from Scotland in 1746 of Charles Stuart, known as Bonnie Prince Charlie.  After his supporters were defeated at the battle of Culloden, the prince was said to have been disguised as a serving maid and for safety sent on a small boat to the Isle of Skye.  The song became extremely popular, and it’s been recorded by many artists over the years, as varied as Paul Robeson, Tom Jones, and Tori Amos.

This is one of my favorite songs on our program today.  I think I’m not alone in harboring a guilty pleasure—both the novels and the TV series called Outlander.  This melody is the theme music for the TV show, with new lyrics about the British nurse who time travels back to 18th century Scotland.  But more importantly, I sing this song for our grandson who was born last spring.  Although he is decidedly not Scottish, his first and middle names are Charles Stuart.  So I now think of Skype Boat Song as our Bonnie Prince Charlie’s lullaby.