Systir : Skye Boat Song
Released June 04 2026 · Danú 045 - 3:09 seconds
Broadcast audio .wav format · Broadcast audio .mp3 format
Systir, meaning "sister" in Icelandic, emerged from Anúna to forge a distinctive musical identity centred on the female voice. Part of the Anúna Collective, Systir have toured Italy, China, Japan, Germany, Ireland, Finland and Iceland. "Skye Boat Song" is the first second single from their debut album due this summer. The soloist is Amelia Jones.
"The Skye Boat Song" is a late 19th-century Scottish song adaptation of a Gaelic song composed in around 1782 by William Ross, entitled Cuachag nan Craobh ("Cuckoo of the Tree"). This version of the text was written by Robert Louis Stevenson, probably in 1885. After hearing the Jacobite airs sung by a visitor, he judged the lyrics to be "unworthy", and composed a new set of verses "more in harmony with the plaintive tune". This version of the song has recently gained fame as the theme song of the TV series Outlander.
Arranged by Michael McGlynn and Lauren McGlynn
SYSTIR
Amelia Jones, Ash McGlynn, Stephanie Devlin, Lauren McGlynn, Lorna Breen, Sara Weeda, Sara Di Bella, Sigrid Algesten,
with Andrew Boushell & Chris Comhaill
Press enquiries: info@anuna.ie · Hi-res image
SYSTIR, meaning "sister" in Icelandic were created to forge a distinctive and eclectic musical identity focused on the female voice. Today Anúna is the parent ensemble of the Anúna Collective, which includes the ensembles Systir and M'ANAM.
Systir's performances span original songs and arrangements alongside works by the 11th-century abbess Hildegard of Bingen and contemporary artists such as Janelle Monáe and Kate Bush. Central to their music is the story behind the songs, personal and historical. Systir explore universal human emotions and experiences that resonate broadly across audiences.
Systir have toured Italy, China, Japan, Germany, Ireland, Finland and Iceland in the last two years, with performances in England, Germany, Finland, Estonia and Latvia scheduled in 2026. Irish composer Michael McGlynn serves as artistic director.