Tiree Love Song Lyrics And Guitar Chords
Tiree Love Song Lyrics Plus Guitar Chords for the key of D Major. The sheet music and tin whistle notes are included. 3/4 . Corries’ version (for original version from ‚The Bonnie Blue’ change key to C major: D=C, C=Bb, G=F) Guitar work by Marc. Also recorded by The Irish Ramblers, The McCalmans and Dennis Ryan.This song is often discribed as ''Traditional'' , not so. Back to all The Corries Folk Songs . Music by Andrew Sinclair and lyrics by Hugh Robertson.The Tiree Bridal Song Mandolin / 4 string banjo tab now added.
Hi- (D)ree hi-ro my (C)bonnie wee girl
Hi- (D)ree Hi- ro my (G)fair (D)one
(G)Will you (D)come away my (C)love
To (D)be my (C)own my (D)rare one
(D)Smiling the land, (C)shining the sea
(D)Sweet is the smell o' the (G)hea(D)ther
(G)Would we were (D)yonder you and (C)me
The (D)two of (C)us to(D)gether
Chorus
(D)All day long (C)out at the peat
(D)Then on the shore in the (G)gloa(D)ming
(G)Stepping it (D)lightly with dancing (C)feet
And (D)then to(C)gether (D)homing
Chorus
(D)Laughter above, (C)singing below
(D)Tripping it lithesome and (G)ai(D)ry
(G)Could we be (D)asking of life for (C)more
My (D)own my (C)darling (D)Mary
Chorus
Hi- (D)ree Hi- ro my (G)fair (D)one
(G)Will you (D)come away my (C)love
To (D)be my (C)own my (D)rare one
(D)Smiling the land, (C)shining the sea
(D)Sweet is the smell o' the (G)hea(D)ther
(G)Would we were (D)yonder you and (C)me
The (D)two of (C)us to(D)gether
Chorus
(D)All day long (C)out at the peat
(D)Then on the shore in the (G)gloa(D)ming
(G)Stepping it (D)lightly with dancing (C)feet
And (D)then to(C)gether (D)homing
Chorus
(D)Laughter above, (C)singing below
(D)Tripping it lithesome and (G)ai(D)ry
(G)Could we be (D)asking of life for (C)more
My (D)own my (C)darling (D)Mary
Chorus
🎸 2. Strumming Pattern (Waltz 3/4 feel)
Play with a slow, swaying motion, accenting beat 1 (the “downbeat”) each measure.
↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
Count: 1 2 3
How to play:
Beat 1: play the bass note (lowest string for that chord)
Beats 2–3: soft down-up on middle/high strings
Keep your wrist loose and relaxed — think of a “boat gently rocking.”
Example:
For D — pluck 4th string (bass), then light down-up
For G — pluck 6th string (bass), then light down-up
For C — pluck 5th string (bass), then light down-up
🎶 3. Fingerpicking Tab (for All Verses)
Use a waltz arpeggio pattern:
T – I – M – T – I – M (Thumb = bass, Index = G, Middle = B)
Let the notes ring gently together — this gives it that soft Scottish lilt.
Verse Fingerpicking Example
D
e|----------------|----------------|
B|------3-----3---|------3-----3---|
G|----2-----2-----|----2-----2-----|
D|--0-------------|--0-------------|
A|----------------|----------------|
E|----------------|----------------|
Hi-ree hi-ro my bonnie wee girl
C
e|----------------|----------------|
B|------1-----1---|------1-----1---|
G|----0-----0-----|----0-----0-----|
D|--2-------------|--2-------------|
A|--3-------------|--3-------------|
E|----------------|----------------|
Hi-ree hi-ro my fair one
G D
e|------3-----3---|------2-----2---|
B|----0-----0-----|----3-----3-----|
G|--------0-------|--------2-------|
D|--0-------------|--0-------------|
A|--2-------------|----------------|
E|--3-------------|----------------|
Will you come away my love, to be my rare one
D C G D
e|------2-----2---|------0-----0---|------3-----3---|------2-----2---|
B|----3-----3-----|----1-----1-----|----0-----0-----|----3-----3-----|
G|--------2-------|--------0-------|--------0-------|--------2-------|
D|--0-------------|--2-------------|--0-------------|--0-------------|
A|----------------|--3-------------|--2-------------|----------------|
E|----------------|----------------|--3-------------|----------------|
Smiling the land, shining the sea, the two of us together
💡 Performance Tips
🎵 Feel:
Keep the picking slow, fluid, and even, like a lullaby or boat rocking on water.
Emphasize the bass note (beat 1) — this gives the lilting 3/4 motion.
🎵 Bass Alternation (optional for flow):
D: alternate 4th → 5th string
C: alternate 5th → 4th
G: alternate 6th → 4th
🎵 Optional embellishments:
Hammer-on 0→2 on the G string during D for a sweet “lift.”
On C, add a light pull-off 1→0 on the B string occasionally.
For the final D, let it ring with a slow arpeggio.
Play with a slow, swaying motion, accenting beat 1 (the “downbeat”) each measure.
↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
Count: 1 2 3
How to play:
Beat 1: play the bass note (lowest string for that chord)
Beats 2–3: soft down-up on middle/high strings
Keep your wrist loose and relaxed — think of a “boat gently rocking.”
Example:
For D — pluck 4th string (bass), then light down-up
For G — pluck 6th string (bass), then light down-up
For C — pluck 5th string (bass), then light down-up
🎶 3. Fingerpicking Tab (for All Verses)
Use a waltz arpeggio pattern:
T – I – M – T – I – M (Thumb = bass, Index = G, Middle = B)
Let the notes ring gently together — this gives it that soft Scottish lilt.
Verse Fingerpicking Example
D
e|----------------|----------------|
B|------3-----3---|------3-----3---|
G|----2-----2-----|----2-----2-----|
D|--0-------------|--0-------------|
A|----------------|----------------|
E|----------------|----------------|
Hi-ree hi-ro my bonnie wee girl
C
e|----------------|----------------|
B|------1-----1---|------1-----1---|
G|----0-----0-----|----0-----0-----|
D|--2-------------|--2-------------|
A|--3-------------|--3-------------|
E|----------------|----------------|
Hi-ree hi-ro my fair one
G D
e|------3-----3---|------2-----2---|
B|----0-----0-----|----3-----3-----|
G|--------0-------|--------2-------|
D|--0-------------|--0-------------|
A|--2-------------|----------------|
E|--3-------------|----------------|
Will you come away my love, to be my rare one
D C G D
e|------2-----2---|------0-----0---|------3-----3---|------2-----2---|
B|----3-----3-----|----1-----1-----|----0-----0-----|----3-----3-----|
G|--------2-------|--------0-------|--------0-------|--------2-------|
D|--0-------------|--2-------------|--0-------------|--0-------------|
A|----------------|--3-------------|--2-------------|----------------|
E|----------------|----------------|--3-------------|----------------|
Smiling the land, shining the sea, the two of us together
💡 Performance Tips
🎵 Feel:
Keep the picking slow, fluid, and even, like a lullaby or boat rocking on water.
Emphasize the bass note (beat 1) — this gives the lilting 3/4 motion.
🎵 Bass Alternation (optional for flow):
D: alternate 4th → 5th string
C: alternate 5th → 4th
G: alternate 6th → 4th
🎵 Optional embellishments:
Hammer-on 0→2 on the G string during D for a sweet “lift.”
On C, add a light pull-off 1→0 on the B string occasionally.
For the final D, let it ring with a slow arpeggio.
McCalmans’ version from ‚Songs From Scotland’
Chorus
Hi- (D)ree hi-ro my (C)bonnie wee lass
Hi- (D)ree Hi- ro my (G)fair (D)one
(G)Will ye (D)come awa with (C)me
And (D)be my (C)own my (D)rare one
(D)Smiling the land, (A)shining the (D)sea
(D)Sweet is the smell o' the (G)hea(D)ther
(G)Would we were (D)yonder you and (C)me
The (D)two of (C)us to(D)gether
Chorus
(D)All day long (A)out at the (D)peat
(D)Then on the shore in the (G)gloa(D)ming
(G)Stepping it (D)lightly with dancing (C)feet
And (D)then to(C)gether (D)homing
Chorus
(D)Laughter above, (A)singing be(D)low
(D)Tripping it lithesome and (G)ai(D)ry
(G)Could we be (D)asking of life for (C)more
My (D)own my (C)darling (D)Mary
Chorus
Chorus
Hi- (D)ree hi-ro my (C)bonnie wee lass
Hi- (D)ree Hi- ro my (G)fair (D)one
(G)Will ye (D)come awa with (C)me
And (D)be my (C)own my (D)rare one
(D)Smiling the land, (A)shining the (D)sea
(D)Sweet is the smell o' the (G)hea(D)ther
(G)Would we were (D)yonder you and (C)me
The (D)two of (C)us to(D)gether
Chorus
(D)All day long (A)out at the (D)peat
(D)Then on the shore in the (G)gloa(D)ming
(G)Stepping it (D)lightly with dancing (C)feet
And (D)then to(C)gether (D)homing
Chorus
(D)Laughter above, (A)singing be(D)low
(D)Tripping it lithesome and (G)ai(D)ry
(G)Could we be (D)asking of life for (C)more
My (D)own my (C)darling (D)Mary
Chorus
Tiree love song sheet music
Tiree Love Song Tin Whistle Sheet Music Notes
Tiree Love Song By The Corries
Tiree love song sheet music in G Major
The Tiree Bridal Song Mandolin / 4 string banjo tab
The Tiree Bridal Song Mandolin / 4 string banjo tab
Ryan's Fancy The Tiree Love Song
Tiree Love Song (Gaelic: Òran Eile Don Phrionnsa / Oran Eile Do Thiriodh)
Also known as: An Eala Bhàn (though not to be confused with the Jacobite lament), My Love’s in the Isle of Tiree
Language: Scottish Gaelic (original), often sung in English translation
Origin: Isle of Tiree, Inner Hebrides, Scotland
Themes: Love, longing, and homesickness
🌊 Background and Origins
The Tiree Love Song is a traditional Hebridean love song that expresses deep affection for both a beloved person and the island of Tiree, one of the most westerly of the Inner Hebrides.
Tiree is known for its white sandy beaches, open skies, and strong Gaelic traditions — all elements that are beautifully reflected in the song’s imagery.
The song likely dates from the 19th century, though its exact authorship is uncertain. Like many Hebridean folk songs, it was passed down orally through generations before being collected and arranged in the early 20th century.
It was popularized during the Gaelic revival movement when folklorists and collectors such as Marjory Kennedy-Fraser transcribed and harmonized traditional island songs. Her version — often titled “Tiree Love Song” — appeared in her influential collection Songs of the Hebrides (1909–1921), set with her distinctive piano arrangements.
💚 Meaning and Mood
The song is sung by a narrator who longs for their love who lives on the Isle of Tiree. It’s a song of yearning, where the beauty of the island becomes inseparable from the memory of a loved one.
The melody is slow, lilting, and deeply emotive, typical of Gaelic love songs that blend affection for people with devotion to the landscape.
The lyrics describe:
The gentle waves and white sands of Tiree,
The brightness of the sea and sky,
And the beloved waiting there — a symbol of peace, beauty, and belonging.
It captures that timeless Highland theme of distance and return, where love and homeland are bound together.
🎶 Lyrics (English translation)
I love the Isle of Tiree,
Its rolling sea and skies of blue,
But most of all, the one who waits for me,
My darling in the Isle of Tiree.
There are several variants, often sung in both English and Gaelic, with verses like:
There’s a girl in the Isle of Tiree,
She is waiting there for me;
She is fair as the bright stars above,
She is my own dear Tiree love.
🎤 Recordings and Legacy
“The Tiree Love Song” has been recorded by numerous traditional and classical artists, including:
Kenneth McKellar – one of the most famous renditions, with rich tenor voice and orchestral backing
Alasdair Gillies – a traditional Gaelic version
Julie Fowlis – performed in Gaelic with a haunting, modern interpretation
The Corries – gave it a more folk-oriented treatment in harmony
Today, it remains a beloved staple of Scottish folk and Gaelic singing, often performed at concerts celebrating the Western Isles and Highland culture.
🪶 Cultural Significance
The song is more than just a love song — it’s an ode to place, expressing the way Scottish islanders felt deeply tied to their home landscapes.
It’s often performed at ceilidhs, Gaelic festivals, and in Highland music competitions, where it stands as one of the finest examples of Gaelic lyricism in song.
The melody’s combination of nostalgia, natural imagery, and tenderness has helped it endure as one of the great love songs of Scotland.
Also known as: An Eala Bhàn (though not to be confused with the Jacobite lament), My Love’s in the Isle of Tiree
Language: Scottish Gaelic (original), often sung in English translation
Origin: Isle of Tiree, Inner Hebrides, Scotland
Themes: Love, longing, and homesickness
🌊 Background and Origins
The Tiree Love Song is a traditional Hebridean love song that expresses deep affection for both a beloved person and the island of Tiree, one of the most westerly of the Inner Hebrides.
Tiree is known for its white sandy beaches, open skies, and strong Gaelic traditions — all elements that are beautifully reflected in the song’s imagery.
The song likely dates from the 19th century, though its exact authorship is uncertain. Like many Hebridean folk songs, it was passed down orally through generations before being collected and arranged in the early 20th century.
It was popularized during the Gaelic revival movement when folklorists and collectors such as Marjory Kennedy-Fraser transcribed and harmonized traditional island songs. Her version — often titled “Tiree Love Song” — appeared in her influential collection Songs of the Hebrides (1909–1921), set with her distinctive piano arrangements.
💚 Meaning and Mood
The song is sung by a narrator who longs for their love who lives on the Isle of Tiree. It’s a song of yearning, where the beauty of the island becomes inseparable from the memory of a loved one.
The melody is slow, lilting, and deeply emotive, typical of Gaelic love songs that blend affection for people with devotion to the landscape.
The lyrics describe:
The gentle waves and white sands of Tiree,
The brightness of the sea and sky,
And the beloved waiting there — a symbol of peace, beauty, and belonging.
It captures that timeless Highland theme of distance and return, where love and homeland are bound together.
🎶 Lyrics (English translation)
I love the Isle of Tiree,
Its rolling sea and skies of blue,
But most of all, the one who waits for me,
My darling in the Isle of Tiree.
There are several variants, often sung in both English and Gaelic, with verses like:
There’s a girl in the Isle of Tiree,
She is waiting there for me;
She is fair as the bright stars above,
She is my own dear Tiree love.
🎤 Recordings and Legacy
“The Tiree Love Song” has been recorded by numerous traditional and classical artists, including:
Kenneth McKellar – one of the most famous renditions, with rich tenor voice and orchestral backing
Alasdair Gillies – a traditional Gaelic version
Julie Fowlis – performed in Gaelic with a haunting, modern interpretation
The Corries – gave it a more folk-oriented treatment in harmony
Today, it remains a beloved staple of Scottish folk and Gaelic singing, often performed at concerts celebrating the Western Isles and Highland culture.
🪶 Cultural Significance
The song is more than just a love song — it’s an ode to place, expressing the way Scottish islanders felt deeply tied to their home landscapes.
It’s often performed at ceilidhs, Gaelic festivals, and in Highland music competitions, where it stands as one of the finest examples of Gaelic lyricism in song.
The melody’s combination of nostalgia, natural imagery, and tenderness has helped it endure as one of the great love songs of Scotland.
