My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean is a very popular old Scottish song that originated probably in the 18th century. It is theorized that the song refers to Bonnie Prince Charlie, the Stuart claimant to the throne of Great Britain.
After the final battle of the Jacobite rising of 1745 at Culloden and his exile, his followers might have sung this song in his honor.
Many famous bands and musicians have covered the song including The Beatles, Ray Charles or Bing Crosby. While initially it wasn’t intended for children, it was a very popular kids song at least as far back as the early 20th century. In the 1940’s the song was featured in an episode of Bugs Bunny (as My Bunny Lies Over the Ocean) and by Woody Woodpecker.
Today it is still one of the most popular songs that parents sing to their young ones.
“My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean” Lyrics
My Bonnie lies over the ocean
My Bonnie lies over the sea
My Bonnie lies over the ocean
Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me…
Bring back, bring back
Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me, to me
Bring back, bring back
Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me
O blow ye winds over the ocean
o blow ye winds over the sea
O blow ye winds over the ocean
and bring back my Bonnie to me
Bring back, bring back
Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me, to me
Bring back, bring back
Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me
Last night as I lay on my pillow
Last night as I lay on my bed
Last night as I lay on my pillow
I dreamt that my Bonnie was dead
Bring back, bring back
Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me, to me
Bring back, bring back
Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me
The winds have blown over the ocean
The winds have blown over the sea
The winds have blown over the ocean
And brought back my Bonnie to me
Bring back, bring back
Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me, to me
Bring back, bring back
Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me