Today we are learning a tune written by an accordionist named Iain MacLachlan called “The Dark Island.” For this preview video, I thought it would be so cool to film it next to the ocean. However, since I live in Utah and didn’t have time this week to make the 700-mile drive to the nearest ocean, I decided to instead film this video at the Great Salt Lake. I thought it actually worked really well as an isolated beach backdrop for this song, which is how I picture “The Dark Island.” Hopefully, you can go along with me and imagine that I’m just another lone piper playing my heart out to the wide-open ocean.

History of “The Dark Island”

This tune was written in 1963 for a BBC Thriller also called “The Dark Island.” Although most of the show was actually filmed on South Uist, the story was set on Ian MacLachlan’s home island of Benbecula (which is off the west coast of Scotland.) The show was a suspenseful drama about a spy investigation of a torpedo found on the shore of the island.

Since then the bagpipe adaptation of this emotional tune has become a popular favorite at funerals and other stately occasions. It is considered a Slow Air and has a beautiful longing feel to it.

Lyrics

Lyrics for the Song “The Dark Island” written by David Silver:

Away to the westward, I’m longing to be
Where the beauties of heaven’ unfold by the sea
Where the sweet purple heather’ blooins fragrant and free
On a hill-top, high above the Dark Island
Oh Isle of my childhood I’in 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 a strand of pure silver, I’ll welcome each day
And I’ll roam forever more, the Dark Island
Oh Isle of my childhood I’in 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
Like a midsummer dawning, that follows the night
How I long for the cry, of the seagulls in flight
As they circle high above’ the Dark Island
Oh Isle of my childhood I’in 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

Sheet Music and Tutorial

If you have already enrolled in the Bagpipe Master course, here’s the link to check out the full step-by-step tutorial and download the sheet music:

Access Sheet Music & Tutorial