Waulking Song

White the sheep that gave the wool
Green the pastures where they fed
Blue the skies above the pool
Where at noon they made their bed

Sing the garden of the sea
From whose flowers we won the dye
Sing of sea-tang wild and free
From our misty Isle of Skye

Light the hearts that love the sea
Brown the face that seeks the sun
Brown and happy, here we are
Singing till our task is done

Move the web towards the sun
Round the table, thump and rub
Stretch and clap till all is done
Stretch and clap and thump and rub

Now is waulked the web we spun
Winter storms may rave in vain
Bless the work by which we won
Comfort from the wind and rain


printed in Sam Henry's Sons of the People
collected from D.E.M. Smith on Skye in 1934
SOF