The Skye Boat Song – Clawhammer Banjo Tutorial + Free Tab Download
There’s something truly special about The Skye Boat Song — that haunting, drifting melody that instantly takes you to misty Scottish shores and open skies. 🌊 It’s one of those timeless tunes that feels like it was written for the banjo, with its rolling rhythm and gentle, flowing melody. In this Clawhammer Banjo tutorial, we’ll learn how to play The Skye Boat Song step by step using the Simply Songsformat — stripped back, clear, and beginner-friendly.
🎶 About This Tune
Originally a Scottish folk song, The Skye Boat Song tells the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s escape to the Isle of Skye after the Battle of Culloden. You might recognise it as the theme song from the TV series Outlander, where its melody carries that same haunting beauty and sense of adventure.
On the banjo, this song comes alive through simple melody lines, frailing rhythm, and a touch of feeling — proof that you don’t need speed or complexity to sound beautiful.
If you haven’t watched my YouTube video of this tune, simply click play below and enjoy
🪕 Learn It the Simply Songs Way
This arrangement has been created in the Simply Songs style — clear, colour-coded, and easy to follow. Each note and chord is designed to help you focus on the heart of the tune:
🎵 Melody – The notes that carry the story
🫶 Rhythm – The bum-ditty pulse that keeps it alive
🗣️ Lyrics – To help you feel the song as you play
🎶 Harmony – The simple chord changes that tie it all together
This isn’t a complex, technical arrangement — it’s a runway for your creativity to take off. Once you have the melody under your fingers, experiment! Try adding drop-thumbs, slides, or your own dynamic touches to make it truly your own.
📄 Free Download – The Skye Boat Song (Simply Song Tab)
You can download the free Clawhammer Banjo tab for The Skye Boat Song right here:
👉 Download the Free Simply Song Tab
(If you’re a Banjo Adventures Member, you’ll also find the tab and video tutorial neatly organised inside the Simply Songs section of the Members Area.)
🏕️ Take Your Banjo Anywhere
At Banjo Adventures, I believe music should be fun, friendly, and free from rules. Whether you’re sitting on a park bench that smells like rain or picking by the fire, The Skye Boat Song reminds us that music is about storytelling and feeling, not perfection.
So grab your banjo, breathe in, and let this tune carry you away.
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