Fear a' Bhàta

Fear a' Bhàta (translated The boatman) is a Scots Gaelic song from the late 18th century, written by an unknown author waiting for her lover to return from his fishing journeys. The song captures the emotions that she endured during their courtship.

Lyrics
There are many versions of the lyrics and of the melody:

Analysis
According to legend, the poem was written by Sìne NicFhionnlaigh (Jean Finlayson) of Tong who was courting a young fisherman from Uig, Dòmhnall MacRath. In some versions of the legend they were married not long after she composed the song. 19th century sources describe the authoress of the poem as unknown.