May 23, 2026: Skye Boat Song is posted in Book 2.
As you know, ukulele sounds a lot like bagpipes and this little ditty will get the kilts a flying in Scotland. I'd seen it on various lists, but didn't really know anything about it, but as usual anything Celtic gets me all jumpy. Apparently there's a miniseries called Outlander and it was apparently quite successful and they rewrote the words a bit to make it match the show and they're better than what passes for original lyrics for the most part so I've used them here. In all the versions, the boat is headed to the Isle of Skye for an ukulele jam session with the Bonnie Prince and you should come along.
It's an easy-ish song with only two interesting challenges. First, the bar chords in Measures 3 and 4 will give you a little bit of a challenge, but you've seen these so many times in various places on the fretboard that hopefully it'll be a snap to conquer. Play at a speed you can pull those off. Second, the chord up the neck in Measure 9 has an extra glow-y tone in it, and I think it sounds better than the straight minor shape, and it's easier to make. And just for kicks, notice the neighbor note in Measure 14 ... the C ... starts the chord of sounding wanky, but then it resolves nicely be the end of the measure on the B. Slow down and drop a nice big strum in at the end and you'll be very proud to become an honorary Skye-ite.
Make a video on your phone of you playing this song and email it to me. I'd love to see you turn this into something wonderful.
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