'S tric mi sealltainn o'n chnòc a's àirde I'm often searching on the highest hilltop Dh'fheuch am faic mi fear a bhàta Trying to find the boatman An tig thu'n diùigh no'n tig thu màireach Will you come tonight or tomorrow? 'S mur tig thu idir gur truagh a tà' mi If you don't come at all, I'll be distraught
Sèist: Chorus (after each verse): Fhir a bhata 'sna horo eile Oh boatman 'sna horo eile Fhir a bhata 'sna horo eile Oh boatman 'sna horo eile Fhir a bhata 'sna horo eile Oh boatman 'sna horo eile Mo shòraidh slàn leat 's gach àit an teid thu My best wishes go with you wherever you may be
Tha mo chridhe-sa briste brùite My heart is broken, bruised 'S tric na deóir a ruith o'm shùilean Often tears are running down my cheeks An tig thu nochd no'm bi mo dhùil riut Will you come tonight or will I wait up for you No'n dùin mi'n dorus le osna thùrsaich But close the door, sighing heavily?
Gheall mo leannan dhomh gùn dhe'n t-sìoda My love promised me a dress of silk Gheall e siod agus breacan rìomhach He promised me that and a gray tartan Fainn òir anns an fàiginn iomhaigh A gold ring where I'd see my reflection Ach 's eagal leam gun dean e di-chuimhn' But I'm afraid he has forgotten
Bidh mi tuille gu tùrsach deùrach I will be forever tearful and dejected Mar eala bhàn 's an déigh a reùbadh Like a wild swan wounded and broken Guileag bàis aic' air lochan feùrach Wailing its song of death on some weedy pond Is cach uile an déigh a tréigsinn Left by the others, alone and abandoned