Traditional Scottish Songs
- The Dark Island

The words of this version are by David Silver and the tune was first copyrighted by Ian MacLaughlan. It was written for the BBC film "The Dark Island" in 1963. This was filmed mainly in South Uist, but was about Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides. Another set of words to the tune was written by Stewart Ross of Inverness - "In the years long gone by when I first left my home...That lovely dark island where memories stray."

You can download an MP3 version of this song from Margaret Donaldson's Web site.


The Dark Island

Away to the west's where I'm longing to be,
Where the beauties of heaven unfold by the sea,
Where the sweet purple heather blooms fragrant and free,
On a hilltop high above the Dark Island.

Chorus
Oh, isle of my childhood, I'm dreaming of thee,
As the steamer leaves Oban and passes Tiree,
Soon I'll capture the magic that lingers for me,
When I'm back once more upon the Dark Island.

So gentle the sea breeze that ripples the bay,
Where the stream joins the ocean, and young children play;
On the strand of pure silver, I'll welcome each day,
And I'll roam for ever more the Dark Island.

Chorus

True gem of the Hebrides, bathed in the light
Of the midsummer dawning that follows the night
How I yearn for the cries of the seagulls in flight.
As they circle high above the Dark Island

Chorus

Return to the Index of Traditional Scottish Songs



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