away to the west ward i m longing to be where the beauties of heaven unfold by the sea where the sweet purple heather blooms fragrant and free on a hilltop high above the dark island chorus oh isle of my childhood i m 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 the strand of pure silver i ll welcome each day and i ll roam forever more the dark island true gems of the hebrides bathed in the light of the mid summer dawning that follows the night how i yearn for the cries of the seagull in flight as they circle high above the dark island 