The Islander (song)

"The Islander" is the tenth track on the Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish's studio album, Dark Passion Play. It was confirmed to be the album's fourth single on the website Nightwish-World on 23 February 2008, only a week after the third single, "Bye Bye Beautiful", was released. It was released on 21 May 2008, a month after the video which premiered on 14 April.

As with some of Nightwish' other songs (including for example "Creek Mary's Blood" from Once), the song fits into the genre contemporary folk music, rather than the symphonic metal they usually play, and uses only acoustic guitars, rather than electric. Marko Hietala provides the main vocals, with backing vocals from Anette Olzon. Hietala also wrote the music for the song. The song features future band member Troy Donockley as a guest musician.

The single features an instrumental version of "Bye Bye Beautiful" B-side "Escapist", as well as an orchestral version of "Meadows of Heaven". It also features the videos to "The Islander" and "Bye Bye Beautiful".