The Dark Island

Last night having been at a meeting in Dounby which is “oot” West on Orkney’s mainland I was returning to Kirkwall just as the light was fading, I was struck once again just by how lucky we are in living on this beautiful Island so with this in mind I have chosen a song rather than a poem for this weeks poetry corner. It is not about Orkney, however I am sure the sentiment is true for any returning wanderer to the Isles of their birth.

These particular lyrics were written for the BBC film “The Dark Island” in 1963

The Dark Island

Away to the west’s where I’m longing to be,
Where the beauties of heaven unfold by the sea,
Where the sweet purple heather blooms fragrant and free,
On a hilltop high above the Dark Island.

Oh, isle of my childhood, I’m dreaming of thee,
As the steamer leaves Oban and passes Tiree,
Soon I’ll capture the magic that lingers for me,
When I’m back once more upon the Dark Island.

So gentle the sea breeze that ripples the bay,
Where the stream joins the ocean, and young children play;
On the strand of pure silver, I’ll welcome each day,
And I’ll roam for ever more the Dark Island.

Oh, isle of my childhood, I’m dreaming of thee,
As the steamer leaves Oban and passes Tiree,
Soon I’ll capture the magic that lingers for me,
When I’m back once more upon the Dark Island.

True gem of the Hebrides, bathed in the light
Of the midsummer dawning that follows the night
How I yearn for the cries of the seagulls in flight.
As they circle high above the Dark Island

Oh, isle of my childhood, I’m dreaming of thee,
As the steamer leaves Oban and passes Tiree,
Soon I’ll capture the magic that lingers for me,
When I’m back once more upon the Dark Island.

Lyrics by David Silver 1963