- With season 5 of Outlander premiering on February 16, we've already got the opening credits theme song stuck in our head.
- Particulary season 5's new intro, which includes the sounds of a choir.
- Below, we've detailed the song's name ("The Skye Boat Song"), lyrics, and meaning—plus, the scoop on whipping it together, courtesy of composer Bear McCreary.
Apart from Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan portraying the beloved Jamie and Claire on Starz's hit historical drama Outlander, some fans would argue that the very thing at the heart of the show is its theme song.
While that seems like a lofty statement, anyone who hears the folksy Celtic notes and bagpipes—plus the tell-tale lyrics to "Sing me a song..."—that make up the opening credit sounds will know exactly what I'm talking about. Called "The Skye Boat Song," the tune manages to be sensual and romantic, earthy and mystical, all of which perfectly describe Claire and Jamie's love story.
Below, we've rounded up everything you need to know about the song, including its meaning and lyrics. And yes, season 5's choral sound meant a major overhaul for the tune. The show's composer Bear McCreary told OprahMag.com, "In many ways I think it is the most radical of the changes [to the music] that have come up so far." More on that below.
What is the Outlander theme song?
The original song you hear during season 1's opening credits is an adaptation of a classic Scottish folk tune "The Skye Boat Song," created by McCreary.
At the time of the inaugural season's premiere in 2014, McCreary took to his blog to explain how he came up with the song all Outlander fans now know and love. Fittingly, it turns out that "The Skye Boat Song" chronicles Bonnie Prince Charlie's escape at the Battle of Culloden. As we all know, these historical events are exactly what threaten Jamie and Claire's relationship in seasons 1 and 2, so there was definitely a deeper meaning there.
"I’ve always adored this piece, and felt its well known lyrical connection to the Jacobite Uprising would make it appropriate for this show. I struggled to connected with the famous lyrics by Sir H. Boulton, however," McCreary wrote.
He went on to explain that singer Raya Yarbrough—the voice behind the opening credits who also happens to be his wife—suggested that they change the lyrics to those written by Robert Louis Stevenson. All they had left to do was change the appropriate pronouns, and that is how our favorite television theme song came to be.
Does the song change each season?
No, you're not hearing things. As you binge through seasons 1 to 5, there's always a subtle—but noticeable—change in the opening credits. That's completely intentional, as McCreary likes to switch-up "The Skye Boat Song" according to the geographic changes of the season.
While season 1's was exceptionally Scottish, Mashable explained that season 2 added the string instrument called a viola de gamba to echo a Parisian sound since Jamie and Claire found themselves in France. When the couple traveled to Jamaica in season 3, the tune changed during episode 9, "The Doldrums," when it took on a Caribbean flair, strengthening its drum-led beats. And of course in season 4, the slower pace, addition of a banjo, and distinct bluegrass sound ("might be my personal favorite," McCreary says) signaled Claire and Jamie had made it to America.
But despite the varied versions, some things will never change.
"The bagpipes and the Scottish and Celtic musical influence is very much rooted in Jamie and Claire," McCreary explained to Mashable. "That will always be their sound. They could go to Mars, and I'll still use the penny whistle or the uilleann bagpipes or the fiddle. It's like a blanket for us. We get to wrap up in it."
How was the new season 5 version created?
As you probably noticed during season 5's premiere, there is an additional switch up in the sound, as McCreary told us that the new choir title sequence is the result of an intense re-work of season 4's.
"My original plan was since they were staying in America, I would stay in the bluegrass and adapt it, so I started making some changes," he said. "I started making more vocal harmonies to the bluegrass harmony. [Executive producer] Ron D. Moore and the other producers liked that, so I added some more. And as you can imagine it started to become a Frankenstein's monster."
After it all became a bit too much, Moore suggested that McCreary lessen the instrumentation, and the a capella version that you hear today was born. The composer explained that season 5's intro "was the most challenging," as there was no location change to hone in on since Claire and Jamie are still based in America. But at this point in the show, Outlander super-fans expect a new theme. Though that presumption creates added pressure, McCreary was more-than-willing to find a creative solution.
"It's not simply the geography," he said. "The changing of the main title comments on an evolution of the characters. We knew that we wanted something dramatic and cinematic."
What are the lyrics to the Outlander theme song?
We're happy to present every word below, so you can learn them all by heart:
Sing me a song of a lass that is gone,
Say, could that lass be I?
Merry of soul she sailed on a day
Over the sea to Skye.
Billow and breeze, islands and seas,
Mountains of rain and sun,
All that was good, all that was fair,
All that was me is gone.
Sing me a song of a lass that is gone,
Say, could that lass be I?
Merry of soul she sailed on a day
Over the sea to Skye
How can I listen to "The Skye Boat Song"?
If you can't wait for the new episodes, the songs for each season are available to listen to and stream on Apple Music, Amazon, Spotify, and YouTube. However, we've taken the liberty of including a few quick links below.
Original "Skye Boat Song" Season 1 Soundtrack Season 2 Soundtrack Season 3 Soundtrack Season 4 Soundtrack
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McKenzie Jean-Philippe is the editorial assistant at OprahMag.com covering pop culture, TV, movies, celebrity, and lifestyle. She loves a great Oprah viral moment and all things Netflix—but come summertime, Big Brother has her heart. On a day off you'll find her curled up with a new juicy romance novel.
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