Annie Lennox has lent her distinctive vocals to the eighth and final season of “Outlander,” recording a haunting new version of “The Skye Boat Song” that will serve as the series’ closing theme.
The legendary Scottish singer’s rendition premiered today on Rolling Stone. Watch below.
The opening credits sequence showcases Lennox’s vocal prowess, beginning with a tender a cappella performance before building to her characteristic powerful crescendo with accompanying strings. Her interpretation brings fresh emotional weight to the Scottish folk tune that has defined the series since its debut.
“I’ve loved and sung ‘The Skye Boat Song’ since I was a young girl growing up in Aberdeen,” Lennox revealed. “It represents such an iconic part of Scottish culture and history and it’s a real honour to have been asked to record it for Outlander‘s final season.”
The melody of “The Skye Boat Song” has long been paired with Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1892 poem “Sing Me a Song of a Lad That Is Gone.” However, composer Bear McCreary adapted the lyrics slightly for “Outlander,” changing them to “Sing Me of a Song of a Lass That Is Gone” to reflect the show’s female protagonist, Claire Fraser, portrayed by Caitríona Balfe.
The theme has undergone various musical transformations throughout the “Outlander” seasons. Initially performed by McCreary’s wife Raya Yarbrough, the song evolved to reflect different settings and storylines. Season six featured Yarbrough collaborating with Scottish Gaelic artist Griogair Labhruidh, whilst season seven showcased the late Sinéad O’Connor’s powerful interpretation.
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McCreary expressed his enthusiasm for securing Lennox for the finale: “For the eighth and final season, there was only one singer I hoped to work with to craft a satisfying conclusion to this musical arc: the legendary Annie Lennox. I was delighted that Annie recognised the depth of the series’ narrative and channelled that into her heartfelt performance.”
The eighth and final season of “Outlander” will premiere on March 6 on Starz, bringing Claire and Jamie Fraser’s epic love story to its conclusion.