Lyrics

Chorus:
I went abroad at early age, but seventeen or so
I'd wearied of the clouds, the waves, the ever cold eternal shore
But for the things I treasure most, I've been surprised to find
I close my eyes where'er I am, and then I visit Skye in mind

Verse:
Scotland was na' far away, but Spain and China were
I aimed to see myself how men were wiser there
It seemed quite the plain truth of things might clearer be to me
If I could only traverse o'er that barricade of sea

Bridge:
My mother begged me not to go; my father said but naught
Our house was quiet like a tomb, save when we frankly fought
It saddened me to cause such pain but facts were clear to see
That island was too small a place for someone great as me

Chorus:
So, I went abroad at early age, but seventeen or so
I'd wearied of the clouds, the waves, the ever cold eternal shore
But for the things I treasure most, I've been surprised to find
I close my eyes where'er I am, and then I visit Skye in mind

Verse:
And so, I followed sail for years, from London to Peru
And in each port, I cast aside a boyish dream or two
I married in New Zealand where I closed my travel book
And settled on her people's farm not far from Mountain Cook

Bridge:
But now my son, he comes to me, a strapping boy in truth
And bothers me with queries 'bout that island of my youth
His mother begs him not to go, like mine did once so plea
Her words will bend him just as much as mother's own did me

Chorus:
Yeah, I went abroad at early age, but seventeen or so
I'd wearied of the clouds, the waves, the ever cold eternal shore
But for the things I treasure most, I've been surprised to find
I close my eyes where'er I am, and then I visit Skye in mind (repeat last 2 lines)
But for the things that I treasure most, I'm still surprised to find
I close my eyes where'er I am, and then I visit Skye in mind