Men of the Isles by Ken Theriot Lyrics

In Western Isles they tell a tale
When nights are chill with rain
Of neighbors wha’ fought tooth and nail
MacQuarrie and MacLean;
The laird of the MacQuarrie clan
On Ulva Isle held sway
MacLean of Mull, a crafty man
Lived just across the bay

MacLean had wed a local lass
Wha’ had a bairn in tow
And many days it came to pass
They’d both receive a blow;
Alan, with his yellow hair
Was never a MacLean
But bided with his mother there
So she’d nae be alane

[Chorus] It might (it might), it might (it might)
It might, you never know;
It might, it may, it may, it might
It could, it might be so
MacQuarrie gave a little boat
To Alan for a toy
As much to spite the Old Goat
As cheer the little boy
But Alan thought the laird was kind
And thanked him hand and heart
For no one knew he had in mind
To learn the sailor’s art

Time went on, and Alan grew
Too big and strong to clout
He signed aboard a ship as crew--
MacLean had kicked him out;
Soon pirate ships were pillaging
Beyond the reach of laws
And of them all, the pirate king
Was Alan of the Straws

[Chorus] It might (it might), it might (it might)
It might, you never know;
It might, it may, it may, it might
It could, it might be so

Alan’s mother breathed her last
And word was sent to sea;
MacLean caught sight of Alan’s mast
And plotted treachery
The pirate was as good as had
His neck was in the noose--
And MacLean knew how the bastard lad
Could finally be of use
“Lad, ye were yer mother’s pride
So let us here join hands;
Rid me of MacQuarrie’s hide
And take his goods and lands
Ye’d have a harbor and a home
When a’ the deed was done
Ye’d no more have to ride the foam
And I’d have back me son.”

[Chorus] It might (it might), it might (it might)
It might, you never know;
It might, it may, it may, it might
It could, it might be so

Word came to MacQuarrie’s ear
Of peril from the west--
A raiding by the buccaneer
At Old MacLean’s behest
His men called for an armed defense
To counter Alan’s threat
The canny laird had better sense;
“We are nae burning yet!”

MacQuarrie sighted Alan’s fleet
Come racing with the tide;
He called for ale and called for meat
And threw his portals wide
“I’ve meat and drink for all yer mates
And merry fires withal;
Ye’re welcome to me puir estates
As when ye were but small.”
[Chorus] It might (it might), it might (it might)
It might, you never know;
It might, it may, it may, it might
It could, it might be so

Alan said, “Ye ought to ken
Ye’ve ruined me design
I canna harm yer beasts nor men
When I hae shared yer wine
I need a harbor for me keels
A shelter and a quay;
‘Tis weary watch amang the seals
Forever on the sea.”

“Laddie,” old MacQuarrie said
And gave a wink and smile
“There’s better lands to have instead
Than my bare little isle
Old MacLean wha’ beat yer Mam
Has harbors just as fine;
Why not leave me as I am—
Burn HIS house and nae mine.”

[Chorus] It might (it might), it might (it might)
It might, you never know;
It might, it may, it may, it might
It could, it might be so

The grandest plan may swim or sink
By actions guid or ill;
You canna kick the pup and think
The dog will do yer will
‘Tis said the man will have the gain
Wha’ wears the truer face
So Alan’s burning Old MacLean
And not MacQuarrie’s place!

[Chorus] It might (it might), it might (it might)
It might, you never know;
It might, it may, it may, it might
It could, it might be so