"Outlander's" Composer Says the Season 5 Theme Song Was 'The Most Challenging' So Far (2024)

  • With season 5 of Outlander premiering on February 16, we've already got the opening credits theme song stuck in our head.
  • Particulary season 5's new intro, which includes the sounds of a choir.
  • Below, we've detailed the song's name ("The Skye Boat Song"), lyrics, and meaning—plus, the scoop on whipping it together, courtesy of composer Bear McCreary.

Apart from Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan portraying the beloved Jamie and Claire on Starz's hit historical drama Outlander, some fans would argue that the very thing at the heart of the show is its theme song.

While that seems like a lofty statement, anyone who hears the folksy Celtic notes and bagpipes—plus the tell-tale lyrics to "Sing me a song..."—that make up the opening credit sounds will know exactly what I'm talking about. Called "The Skye Boat Song," the tune manages to be sensual and romantic, earthy and mystical, all of which perfectly describe Claire and Jamie's love story.

Below, we've rounded up everything you need to know about the song, including its meaning and lyrics. And yes, season 5's choral sound meant a major overhaul for the tune. The show's composer Bear McCreary told OprahMag.com, "In many ways I think it is the most radical of the changes [to the music] that have come up so far." More on that below.

What is the Outlander theme song?

The original song you hear during season 1's opening credits is an adaptation of a classic Scottish folk tune "The Skye Boat Song," created by McCreary.

At the time of the inaugural season's premiere in 2014, McCreary took to his blog to explain how he came up with the song all Outlander fans now know and love. Fittingly, it turns out that "The Skye Boat Song" chronicles Bonnie Prince Charlie's escape at the Battle of Culloden. As we all know, these historical events are exactly what threaten Jamie and Claire's relationship in seasons 1 and 2, so there was definitely a deeper meaning there.

"Outlander's" Composer Says the Season 5 Theme Song Was 'The Most Challenging' So Far (2)

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"I’ve always adored this piece, and felt its well known lyrical connection to the Jacobite Uprising would make it appropriate for this show. I struggled to connected with the famous lyrics by Sir H. Boulton, however," McCreary wrote.

He went on to explain that singer Raya Yarbrough—the voice behind the opening credits who also happens to be his wife—suggested that they change the lyrics to those written by Robert Louis Stevenson. All they had left to do was change the appropriate pronouns, and that is how our favorite television theme song came to be.

Does the song change each season?

No, you're not hearing things. As you binge through seasons 1 to 5, there's always a subtle—but noticeable—change in the opening credits. That's completely intentional, as McCreary likes to switch-up "The Skye Boat Song" according to the geographic changes of the season.

While season 1's was exceptionally Scottish, Mashable explained that season 2 added the string instrument called a viola de gamba to echo a Parisian sound since Jamie and Claire found themselves in France. When the couple traveled to Jamaica in season 3, the tune changed during episode 9, "The Doldrums," when it took on a Caribbean flair, strengthening its drum-led beats. And of course in season 4, the slower pace, addition of a banjo, and distinct bluegrass sound ("might be my personal favorite," McCreary says) signaled Claire and Jamie had made it to America.

But despite the varied versions, some things will never change.

"The bagpipes and the Scottish and Celtic musical influence is very much rooted in Jamie and Claire," McCreary explained to Mashable. "That will always be their sound. They could go to Mars, and I'll still use the penny whistle or the uilleann bagpipes or the fiddle. It's like a blanket for us. We get to wrap up in it."

How was the new season 5 version created?

As you probably noticed during season 5's premiere, there is an additional switch up in the sound, as McCreary told us that the new choir title sequence is the result of an intense re-work of season 4's.

"My original plan was since they were staying in America, I would stay in the bluegrass and adapt it, so I started making some changes," he said. "I started making more vocal harmonies to the bluegrass harmony. [Executive producer] Ron D. Moore and the other producers liked that, so I added some more. And as you can imagine it started to become a Frankenstein's monster."

After it all became a bit too much, Moore suggested that McCreary lessen the instrumentation, and the a capella version that you hear today was born. The composer explained that season 5's intro "was the most challenging," as there was no location change to hone in on since Claire and Jamie are still based in America. But at this point in the show, Outlander super-fans expect a new theme. Though that presumption creates added pressure, McCreary was more-than-willing to find a creative solution.

"It's not simply the geography," he said. "The changing of the main title comments on an evolution of the characters. We knew that we wanted something dramatic and cinematic."

What are the lyrics to the Outlander theme song?

We're happy to present every word below, so you can learn them all by heart:

Sing me a song of a lass that is gone,
Say, could that lass be I?
Merry of soul she sailed on a day
Over the sea to Skye.

Billow and breeze, islands and seas,
Mountains of rain and sun,
All that was good, all that was fair,
All that was me is gone.

Sing me a song of a lass that is gone,
Say, could that lass be I?
Merry of soul she sailed on a day
Over the sea to Skye

How can I listen to "The Skye Boat Song"?

If you can't wait for the new episodes, the songs for each season are available to listen to and stream on Apple Music, Amazon, Spotify, and YouTube. However, we've taken the liberty of including a few quick links below.

Original "Skye Boat Song" Season 1 Soundtrack Season 2 Soundtrack Season 3 Soundtrack Season 4 Soundtrack

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"Outlander's" Composer Says the Season 5 Theme Song Was 'The Most Challenging' So Far (6)

McKenzie Jean-Philippe

Editorial Assistant

McKenzie Jean-Philippe is the editorial assistant at OprahMag.com covering pop culture, TV, movies, celebrity, and lifestyle. She loves a great Oprah viral moment and all things Netflix—but come summertime, Big Brother has her heart. On a day off you'll find her curled up with a new juicy romance novel.

"Outlander's" Composer Says the Season 5 Theme Song Was 'The Most Challenging' So Far (2024)

FAQs

Why did they change the theme song to Outlander? ›

The choice to change the theme to a ballad sung by a male leads to the idea that the new season is not told from Claire's point of view, but rather through the lens of a male character, with Outlander season 6 likely focusing on either Jamie or Roger.

Who sang the Outlander theme song each season? ›

After six seasons of hearing Raya Yarbrough sing Bear McCreary's version of the classic Scottish bagpipe ballad, Starz has mixed it up with a new vocalist… Sinéad O'Connor.

How many versions of Outlander theme songs are there? ›

“Changing a series' Main Title is relatively rare in television, and yet this marks the sixth, arguably seventh [with an extended season 1 version used only on the soundtrack], iteration of the beloved folk song I have produced for Outlander,” McCreary wrote at the time.

What is the saddest Outlander episode? ›

Outlander's 10 most emotional episodes that left fans in tears
  • Roger's capture in Season 4, Episode 13 - Man of Worth. ...
  • Frank's heartbreaking death, Season 3, Episode 3 - All Debts Paid. ...
  • Brianna and Jamie finally meet Season 4, Episode 9 - The Birds & The Bees.
Feb 5, 2024

Who sings The Skye Boat Song in Outlander season 5? ›

The Season 5 cover is sung by an a cappella choir coordinated by Jasper Randall. Season 6 is the first time the theme song boasts a dueted version, where Scottish singer Griogair Labhruidh performs alongside Yarbrough with minimal accompaniment on strings and percussion.

Why did Outlander end so abruptly? ›

Why is Outlander Ending With Season 8? It's unclear why Starz and the Outlander team decided to end the series with Season 8, but Maril Davis explained it had something to do with the fact that Diana Gabaldon is still working on Book 10 and the series is about to catch up with the books.

Why did Jamie's hair color change Outlander? ›

While in recent seasons, Jamie's red hair has been mostly pulled back, Jamie continues to sport the Fraser red. Sam Heughan used to dye his hair red while filming Outlander, but he revealed to InStyle that “[my hair] got dyed so many times it eventually just wouldn't hold the color and it turned purple.”

Why was Outlander removed from Prime? ›

While this is available via Amazon Prime Video, a separate subscription to Starplayz is needed to access the content. Amazon Prime Video has had rights to the show since 2015, but Starz, the show's US channel, outbid them in the latest deal for the show.

Who sings the Outlander season 7 theme? ›

The excitement is heightened as they share the incredible feat of securing Sinead O'Connor to sing the show's theme song.

What did Sinead O'Connor have to do with Outlander? ›

The final song Sinéad O'Connor ever recorded was the haunting theme track for Outlander's current seventh season, which was inspired by the singer's personal tragedy. The late Irish singer, also known as Shuhada Sadaqat, died in July 2023 at the age of 56, leading to an outpouring of love from fans across the world.

Does Richard Rankin really sing in Outlander? ›

It was an “Ah-ha” moment for many Outlander fans. “Yes! Richard can sing!” Actually, not only can Rankin sing and play the guitar but he brought a raw emotion to this very Scottish song that speaks of a jilted man and his unrequited love.

What is the best version of the Outlander theme song? ›

The original version of “The Skye Boat Song” composed by Bear McCreary and sung by Raya Yarbrough is the most iconic version of Outlander's theme song. The show's viewers were first introduced to this in Outlander's premiere episode. It transported audiences from 2015 back 200 years to 1700's Scotland.

Is Diana Gabaldon done with Outlander? ›

A comprehensive guide to everything we know so far about the 10th and final book in the 'Outlander' series by Diana Gabaldon. Author Diana Gabaldon has been working on her 10th and final "Outlander" book since 2021. It does not have a release date, but Gabaldon has predicted it will come out between 2024 and 2026.

Does author Diana Gabaldon cameo in Outlander? ›

In the episode of the Starz Outlander TV series titled "The Gathering," Diana Gabaldon plays Iona MacTavish, a wealthy merchant's wife in a scene with Mrs. Fitzgibbons. The part was written especially for Diana, and the costume department of the series designed and made her a gorgeous dress.

What song is whistled at the end of Outlander Season 5? ›

To make matters worse, as Episode 5 came to an end, Claire heard somebody whistling the tune to Colonel Bogey March which could have some big consequences going forward. Newsweek has everything you need to know about "Colonel Bogey March" and what it may mean going forward in Outlander.

Who sings on Outlander season 6? ›

The other significant change is that the Season Six Outlander song is led by the male singer (Griogair Labhruidh) with the female voice that we're used to (Raya Yarbrough) joining in a duet later in the song.

Who sings Outlander theme season4? ›

Soundtrack information

Composed by Bear McCreary, the soundtrack features vocals by Raya Yarbrough and Jaraneh Nova and has a total running time of 1:17:47.

What was the song in Outlander Season 6 Episode 5? ›

Just as Outlander Season 6, Episode 5 came to an end, Claire Fraser was startled by the sound of a man whistling the tune to "Colonel Bogey March". The song is a British march, composed in 1914 by F.J. Ricketts, a British Army bandmaster who became the director of music for the Royal Marines at Plymouth.

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