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Ellan Vannin (poem)

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Ellan Vannin (the Manx-language name of the Isle of Man) is a poem and song, often referred to as "the alternative Manx national anthem", the words of which were written by Eliza Craven Green in 1854 and later set to music by someone called either J. Townsend or F. H. Townend (sources vary).

Contents

The Manx-language name Ellan Vannin is commonly mispronounced in renditions of the song, including in the Bee Gees version, since written Manx uses an orthography based on Welsh rather than Irish/Scots gaelic, which does not accurately transcribe the "ʲə" sound found in the word for "island" in spoken Manx Gaelic. The correct pronunciation is [ˈɛlʲən ˈvanɪn].

English language version

When the summer day is overAnd its busy cares have flown,I sit beneath the starlightWith a weary heart, alone,Then rises like a vision,Sparkling bright in nature's glee,My own dear Ellan VanninWith its green hills by the sea.Then I hear the wavelets murmurAs they kiss the fairy shore,Then beneath the em'rald watersSings the mermaid as of yore,And the fair Isle shines with beautyAs in youth it dawned on me,My own dear Ellan VanninWith its green hills by the sea.Then mem'ries sweet and tenderCome like music's plaintive flow,Of the hearts in Ellan VanninThat lov'd me long ago,And I give with tears and blessings,My own fondest thoughts to thee,My own dear Ellan VanninWith its green hills by the sea.

Manx Gaelic (Gaelg) version

Source:

The Bee Gees Version

The Bee Gees recorded a version for Isle of Man charities. They also included the song in their world-tour as a show of pride in the place of their birth.

When the summer day is over,Its busy cares have flown,I will sit beneath the starlight,With a weary heart alone.Then it rises like a visionSparkling bright it shines for meMy own dear Ellan VanninWith its green hills by the seaLet me hear the ocean murmurLet me watch your stormy skyThen above the emerald watersSings the seagull as she fliesThen arising like a visionSparkling bright it shines for meMy own dear Ellan VanninWith its green hills by the seaAnd in all my times of sorrowAnd on some lonely shoreI'll go back to Ellan VanninTo my childhood days once more

References

Ellan Vannin (poem) Wikipedia


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