D                   A
The captain says he's a stowaway
        F#m                E
He must pay his fare or he cannot stay
        D                      A
But the people cried, "We will share the bread
    F#m                F#sus2
For with his music our hearts are fed."
       D               A
So the captain says to John McKay
      F#m                  E
"Your pipes may keep their spirits high
    D                A
and be for them the glowing spark -
    F#m               F#sus2
remembrance of their highland hearts"


[Chorus]
        E                  B
Let the piper play for the old and new
   A                     F#m
To warm the waves of the ocean
        E               C#m
Let the piper play with no regret
         A            C#m    C#sus2
Later remember, later forget


[Verse 2]
       D                A
So the piper plays what he knows best
     F#m                E
The lover's cry and the dying breath
     D                      A
The drunkard's roar and the warrior's pride
    F#m                      F#sus2
The kiss of the wind and the rush of the tide
   D                      A
He coaxes the breeze to a gentle gale
       F#m                E
As the Hector spreads her tattered sails
        D                A
And the people dance out on the deck
        F#m                  F#sus2
But the captain says: "You're not safe yet."


[Chorus]
        E                  B
Let the piper play for the old and new
   A                     F#m
To warm the waves of the ocean
        E               C#m
Let the piper play with no regret
         A            C#m    C#sus2
Later remember, later forget



[Verse 3]
       D              A
So he pipes the ship across the sea
    F#m              E
But when at last the land is seen
    D                      A
The seas grow wild and the heavens crack
        F#m               F#sus2
And the tired old brig is driven back
          D                     A
And it's two weeks lost and the food all gone
    F#m                E
And no [tunes?] now to urge them one
      D                       A
Their hearts grow weak, their spirits groan
        F#m              F#sus2
And the people cry: "Now take us home."


[Violin instrumental]


[Verse 4]
      D                      A
Fair winds prevailed and the pipes once more
F#m                  E
Tore the air as they kissed the shore
    D                A
The voyage made, the trip survived
     F#m                 F#sus2
They bend their backs to stay alive
     D                    A
And worked and fought and loved and sang
     F#m                 E
Throughout new lands old music rang
    D                    A
And took its place round each new hearth
   F#m               F#sus2
To mend the soul and feed the heart


[Chorus]
        N.C.             
Let the piper play for the old and new
  N.C.
To warm the waves of the ocean
  N.C.
Let the piper play with no regret
   N.C.              C#m    C#sus2
Later remember, later forget

[Chorus]
        E                  B
Let the piper play for the old and new
   A                     F#m
To warm the waves of the ocean
        E               C#m
Let the piper play with no regret
         A            C#m    C#sus2
Later remember, later forget