Farewell to the Isle of Tiree,
To the ‘Kingdom Under the Waves’,
Where the people deserve to be free,
But are little better than slaves;
Adieu to the kirks of Culdees,
To the duns I used to explore,
Adieu to the wild raging seas,
To the sands and rocks of the shore.
Farewell to the straw covered cot,
where kind hearted islanders dwell,
To wander about is my lot,
So dear isle I bid you farewell,
On earth there is no rest for me,
And Destiny bids me depart,
But love for the folks of Tiree,
Will remain till death in my heart.
J Sands, Tiree, 12th January 1883
