Sky Island "the skye"
"The Skye Boat Song", also known as the Isle of Skye Boat Song, is a very old Scottish folk song whose melody has existed since the origin of the Isle of Skye.
After the Scottish "Jacobite Uprising", the song was re-lyrically adapted based on Prince Charles's legendary love affair with Flora Macdonald, creating the original version of "The Skye Boat Song".
Legend has it that after the failed operations of the Jacobites in 1745, Prince Charles Edward Stuart, with the help of Flora Macdonald, disguised himself as a maid and fled overseas in a small boat. During this period of exile, Prince Charles developed an affair with Flora, but for the sake of the Stuart dynasty and for the ideals of his father," Charles had to choose to separate from Flora and embark on a journey to "save the country" alone. Flora was arrested by the British authorities for hiding criminals, during which time, because of her integrity, the British government had no choice but to release her a year later, but Flora never had the opportunity to reunite with Charles after her release.
Charles Edward Stuart
Therefore, the song of "Isle of Skye Ship Song" not only implies a kind of hatred of home and country, but also contains reluctance to lovers, and is the most tragic repertoire after the Glorious Revolution in Britain.
Below we will interpret the hidden history and culture behind them word by word through the lyrics.
"Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing, Onward! the sailors cry; Carry the lad that's born to be King Over the sea to Skye. Loud the winds howl, loud the waves roar, Thunderclouds rend the air;"
"Hurry, beautiful little boat, like a bird spreading its wings and flying, how vigorous, how loud the boatmen's trumpets are, carrying the boy, the future king, across the sea, sailing to Skye, the wind is roaring, the evil waves are roaring, the darkness envelops the sky, and the thunder resounds through the clouds"
Just like the scene in the song, at this time, the Stuart dynasty in England is experiencing a solemn moment of "the mountain rain is about to come and the wind is full of buildings".
Because the Jacobite rebellion of 1745 was one of the most important turning points in British history.
Character Tip: Charles Edward Stuart, aka "Prince Bonnie Charles", as the eldest son, believed he had the right to inherit the British throne, so he planned to regain the throne with his members of the Jacobite Party after the Glorious Revolution and oust George II, the "usurper" of the Hanover dynasty.
In December 1743, Charles's father appointed him regent and gave him the power to act in his own name. Eighteen months later, Prince Charles led a French-backed rebellion to try to get his father back on the throne of England and Scotland.
In order to attack England, Charles raised a large amount of money to form his own fleet. One of them, the Elizabeth, was an old warship with 66 guns, and the other, Du Teillay, was a privateer with 16 guns.
On 23 July 1745, James's maritime forces successfully transported him and seven companions to the Isle of Eriske in Scotland.
Previously, Charles had also pinned his hopes on the help of the French fleet, but the French ship was destroyed by the storm before entering the English Channel, so Charles could only organize an army in Scotland on his own.
However, with the help of the jacobite power among the Highland clans, Charles soon had a force of his own. He then led the Jacobites and the Scottish Highlands army to a successful march into Edinburgh. The city, under the weak control of Bishop Archibald Stewart, soon surrendered.
It is worth mentioning that when Charles occupied Edinburgh, the artist Allan Ramsay also painted a portrait dedicated to him, which is currently preserved in the collection of the Earl of Weems at Gosford Palace, which is the only portrait of Prince Charles from his youth.
Prince Charles
Subsequently, on 21 September 1745, Prince Charles again defeated Scotland's only government army at the Battle of Prestonpans. (This government army was led by General John Kop, who was very lax in their defenses against the Jacobites.)
It was not until November of the same year that Charles gathered about 6,000 soldiers to continue south and successfully captured Carlisle without sacrificing a single soldier, leaving london less than 120 miles away.
Thereafter, his army advanced all the way to the Swarkston Bridge in Derbyshire.
But here, as the recapture of England was imminent, rumors broke out within Prince Charles's forces that the French had defected and had instead supported the British authorities, and that the British government forces were massing large numbers against Charles.
Therefore, the military spirit of Charles's troops was shaken at once. His general soon decided to abandon him and return to Scotland, where Charles lost important support from the Highland forces.
But the rebellion is far from over.
From January to March 1746, as Charles's army nearly doubled in size, he and his subordinate General Henry Holly once again defeated the British at Falkirk, achieving a very impressive victory.
But an event on March 24 nearly destroyed the dream of the Stuart restoration, when the Royal Navy captured a ship from France, laden with Coins and Supplies from the Jacobites.
So, after losing their financial funds, the Jacobites experienced an unprecedented crisis, and many soldiers laid down their weapons and prepared to leave Prince Charles.
But not only then did it, and at this time one of George II's most prominent sons, General William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, began to command the British army.
Battle of Culloden
So, on April 16, 1746, the Jacobites were defeated at the Battle of Culloden, where there was a huge disparity in strength and tactical accomplishment, which completely shattered the Stuart dream of restoration, allowing Prince Charles to truly leave the center of power.
This also led the British government to introduce a new policy: they sought to systematically dismantle the ancient social and military structures of Britain, to eliminate the support of the Scottish Highland tribes to Stuart and the culture of the Highland tribes.
Regardless of whether the Highlanders joined the rebellion or not, Highland costumes, especially tartan, were ordered to be forbidden to wear at the time, and scottish semi-feudal military service relations and the power of the chiefs over their clans were lifted during this period.
“our foes stand by the shore, Follow they will not dare. [Chorus] Though the waves leap, so soft shall ye sleep, Ocean's a royal bed. Rocked in the deep, Flora will keep Watch by your weary head. ”
"Our enemies are hanging their heads in frustration on the shore, because they can no longer get what they want [chorus] The wind and waves have not stopped, the gentleness has fallen asleep, the endless waves have turned into a royal hotbed, the ship is shaking violently, and Flo can't stop staring at your tired forehead, sleepy arms."
Through the lyrics of "Flora can't stop staring at your tired forehead, sleepy arms", it is not difficult to see the true feelings of suffering between Prince Charles and Flora.
However, there is a person in history who did exist in Flora, and her prototype was called Flora McDonald.
Flora MacDonald
Flora MacDonald was a member of Slater's Macdonald family, and after the Battle of Corolla in April 1746, he helped Charles Edward Stewart evade government pursuits.
Although her family sided with the government forces in the 1745 Jacobite revolt, Flora chose to support her lover, Prince Charles. Later, she was arrested by government agents and sent to a prison in London, where she was recorded with the following words: "Everyone admired her fearlessness, even Frederick, Prince of Wales, praised her." ”
Of course, there are some details to be said about their story.
After the Battle of Corolldon in June 1746, Flora was visiting the Outer Hebrides, where Prince Charles and a small group of soldiers took refuge.
One of Prince Charles's companions, Captain Conn O'Neill from Antrimshire, was distantly related to Flora, so they tried to ask her for help.
The Macdonald family of the Highlands did not join the rebellion at the time, and the Outer Hebrides were controlled by pro-government militia led by Flora's stepfather, Hugh Macdonald.
So in this delicate relationship, Flora did hesitate, fearing that harboring these fugitives would have terrible consequences for her family.
But she finally decided to let go of the poor soldiers and signed them a pass.
Over the next 5 months, Prince Charles, under Flora's careful care, gradually emerged from the shadow of defeat and regained his former aura, and he also developed a relationship with the young and beautiful Flora.
However, as the British government continued to expand the scope and intensity of its search, the Outer Hebrides were no longer safe. So Charles decided to take the risk and flee from England to France to move the troops.
So, on a stormy night, Flora and Charles, with the help of six crew members, sailed out of the island, and to hide their sights, Charles disguised himself as betty Burke, an Irish maid.
On 27 June, they docked in Kilbled, Isle of Skye, and the next day Charles, who had removed his disguise, was taken to Lhasa, while Flora remained on the Isle of Skye and never saw each other again.
Prince Charles bids farewell to Flora
However, two weeks after the incident, the boatman was detained and confessed, and Flora was arrested and taken to the Tower of London.
After Mrs Margaret interceded with Scotland's chief legal officer, Duncan Forbes of Culloden, she was allowed to live outside the tower under the supervision of the "Messenger of the King" and was released after the Compensation Act of June 1747.
On November 6, 1750, at the age of 28, Flora married Allan Macdonald, a Captain in the British Army.
In 1773, the writer Samuel Johnson met Flora on a visit to the Isle of Skye, describing her as "a woman of feminine appearance, gentle manners, kindness of heart, and elegance."
Later, the writer Samuel Johnson again commented on Flora in an inscription at the Kilmür Memorial: "A name that will be mentioned repeatedly in history, a virtue of courage and loyalty, and her glory will live on forever." ”
”Many's the lad fought on that day, Well the Claymore could wield, When the night came, silently lay Dead on Culloden's field. [Chorus] Burned are their homes, exile and death Scatter the loyal men; Yet ere the sword cool in the sheath Charlie will come again.”
"In the past many people fought for the prince, the shining sword was slashed in the air, when the cold and silent night came, the god of death wandered in the wasteland of Culloden [Chorus] The homeland was in ashes, only death and wandering, the royal nobles could only run around and hide, the sword was still warm, the sword was not sheathed, and one day the king Charlie would return again."
As the lyrics say, "One day King Charles will return again," Prince Charles has never forgotten his mission while fleeing exile in England.
He believed he would quickly regain his influence upon his return to France. However, there are also those who believe that he gave up the army and even the cause of Stuart to save his own life.
Although for the rest of his life, Charles repeatedly tried to re-enter the British mainland, but the backfire, the divided European forces at this time no longer need a fallen king, the Attitude of the French also took a 180-degree turn, so Charles did not "one day the king will return again" as the lyrics do.
Finally, in 1788, Charles died of hatred in Rome, according to legend because he became depressed and began to drink heavily, and finally drank a strange liquid that led to his death.
However, although Charles did not fulfill his dream, his other saga, the "Highland Boys", will always live in the hearts of the Scottish people, and even play an important role in the current "Scottish Independence Movement".
In addition, there is another theory about this song, that its origin is actually a traditional Gaelic rowing song, which is the tune that people sing when rowing.
An Englishman named Sir Harold Edwin Bolton (1859–1935) attached the song's tune to Charles and Flora's love story, creating the Isle of Skye Boat Song, which was first published in 1884.
Sir Harold is a passionate collector and publisher of traditional British songs, and he also composed the English version of a famous Welsh traditional lullaby, The Overnight.
However, in any case, the love story of Charles and Flora is indeed handed down, which also plays a very key role in the prying eyes of future generations on this history.
So, download Isle of Skye Boat Song and listen to it! Don't forget to pay attention and praise!
Literature for this article
1.Michael Hook and Walter Ross, The 'Forty-Five. The Last Jacobite Rebellion (Edinburgh: HMSO, The National Library of Scotland, 1995), p27
2.《The Bonnie Prince and Flora MacDonald》
3.Andrew Kuntz, The Fiddler's Companion: A Descriptive Index of North American and British Isles Music for the Folk Violin and Other Instruments: authentic origins of the "Skye Boat Song"
4. Conrad, Erin. Outlander: Opening Title Sequence – Wait, Is That It?. ThreeIfBySpace.net. July 2014 [September 1, 2014].
5.Comic Con 2014 Highlights. BearMcCreary.com. July 29, 2014 [September 1, 2014].