Speed Bonnie Boat: A Tale from Scottish History Inspired by the Skye Boat Song (Picture Kelpies: Traditional Scottish Tales)

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Nevertheless, this new appetite for all things Jacobite is not restricted to film and TV. This Spring, Edinburgh-based Floris Books are publishing a new picture book inspired by the Skye Boat Song. Part of the Traditional Scottish Tales series, Italian artist Alfredo Belli has beautifully illustrated this new version, which introduces children to the history of the last Stuart Prince and the ’45. Kuntz, Andrew. The Fiddler's Companion: A Descriptive Index of North American and British Isles Music for the Folk Violin and Other Instruments.

The book provides a child-friendly introduction to the Young Pretender, his fight for the British throne, his defeat at Culloden and his flight to the Isle of Skye, where he sought refuge with the help of Flora MacDonald. Acclaimed violinist Tasmin Little shares her own arrangement of the piece and explains why it works so well musically. A New Zealand artist shares his memories of time spent with his father, and the sound of him whistling the song on their way home as dusk fell. A sailor from the Isle of Skye, describes his connection with the spirituality of piece and the Loch on which he sails.The Queen's Piper, who has played it in happy and sad times, recalls his rendition outside the Queen's window and leading Princess Margaret's cortege. Why not try singing the tune yourself? Below is the sheet music for the main chorus, as well as the melody for each verse. Sing your way through history!

You can listen to a version of the song here, sung by traditional Gaelic singer, Catherine Tinney. https://booksfromscotland.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/CT-Skye-Boat-Song.mp3 The song tells the tale of Bonnie Prince Charlie (Prince Charles Edward Stuart and grandson of James II and VII of Scotland) and his flight from Benbecula to the Isle of Skye, following his defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. It was the final attempt by the Stuarts to reclaim the throne after their last monarch Queen Anne died, at which point the crown was then passed to George I from Hanover. Bonnie Prince Charlie's supporters, however, believed he was the rightful heir to the throne. Calum Kennedy included a version on Songs of Scotland and Ireland (Beltona 1971), and Rod Stewart recorded two versions of the song with The Atlantic Crossing Drum & Pipe Band during the sessions for Atlantic Crossing between 1974 and 1975. They were given an official release on the deluxe re-release of the album in 2009. Sing me a Song of a Lad that is Gone by Robert Louis Stevenson". Poetry Foundation. 24 May 2018 . Retrieved 12 October 2021.

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Crucially, the Floris Books version does not end on the battlefield. Instead the reader is left with a sense of calm and peace as they see the young Stuart Prince safe out of harm’s way on the Isle of Skye. George Donaldson of Celtic Thunder sang it in the 2015 show "Heritage" (arr. Phil Coulter) and on the CD and DVD of the same name. Celtic Thunder Limited. USA Sony Music Entertainment. This new appetite for all things Jacobite is not restricted to film and TV’ This guest post from Floris Books highlights the enduring popularity of the traditional Scottish song ‘The Skye Boat Song’ and introduces their new beautifully illustrated take on this dramatic and much-loved ballad for a young audience. You can also listen to a performance of The Skye Boat Song by a traditional Gaelic singer – why not sing along? The words "Speed Bonnie Boat Like a Bird on the Wing" tell the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s escape to the Isle of Skye - dressed as a maid - after defeat at the battle of Culloden.