"My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean" or "Bring Back My Bonnie To Me" is a traditional Scottish folk tune. It is not certain when it was written but an interesting clue was uncovered with a research quest to Wikipedia. In 1746 Prince Charles Edward Stuart was defeated at the battle of Culloden and exiled. "Bonnie Prince Charlie" may be who the song was written for. And since Bonnie can refer to a woman or man, his followers could pretend the song was about a woman though they were singing to him. So take that for what it's worth. (from Music K-8, Vol. 28, No. 1)