National Anthem

From ManxWiki

Jump to: navigation, search

The National Anthem known in Manx as Arrane Ashoonagh dy Vannin, was written and composed in English by William Henry Gill (1839-1923), with the Manx translation by John J. Kneen (1873-1939). The anthem is sung to an adaptation of the traditional Manx melody of Mylecharaine's March and its English title is normally O Land of Our Birth.

Contents

First Performance

First performed at the Manx Music Festival on Thursday 21st March 1907, there are eight verses in total, but for general purposes, it is only the first and last verses that are usually sung.

National vs Royal?

Following debate, the National Anthem was given official status by the Island's legislature Tynwald at a sitting on 22 January 2003, with "God Save the Queen", being designated as the Royal Anthem.

Tynwald is of the opinion that -
(a) “O Land of Our Birth” be known as the National Anthem of the Isle of Man, with “God Save the Queen” being known as the Royal Anthem;
(b) custom and practice be followed whereby -
(i) the National Anthem of the Isle of Man is used on official and ceremonial occasions, and in schools, and
(ii) the Royal Anthem should normally be reserved for use, additionally, on those occasions where Her Majesty, Members of the Royal Family, or the Lieutenant Governor are present.
The amendment was passed, meaning that "O Land of Our Birth" should be correctly refered to as the "National Anthem" without the need to prefix it with "Manx" as a possesive pronoun and used at all events where an anthem is required. The UK Anthem should be refered to as the "Royal Anthem", retained for use at events attended by UK royalty or Royal Representation.

Lyrics

Manx English
O Halloo nyn ghooie,
O' Ch'liegeen ny s'bwaaie
Ry gheddyn er ooir aalin Yee,
Ta dt' Ardstoyl Reill Thie
Myr Barrool er ny hoie
Dy reayl shin ayns seyrsnys as shee.
O land of our birth,
O gem of God's earth,
O Island so strong and so fair;
Built firm as Barrule,
Thy Throne of Home Rule
Makes us free as thy sweet mountain air.
Tra Gorree yn Dane
Haink er traie ec y Lhane
Son Ree Mannin v'eh er ny reih
'S va creenaght veih Heose
Er ny chur huggey neose
Dy reill harrin lesh cairys as graih
When Orry, the Dane,
In Mannin did reign,
'Twas said he had come from above;
For wisdom from Heav'n
To him had been giv'n
To rule us with justice and love.
Ren nyn ayryn g'imraa
Va Nooghyn shenn traa
Yn Sushtal dy Hee fockley magh
Shegin yeearree peccoil
Myr far aileyn Vaal,
Ve er ny chur mow son dy bragh.
Our fathers have told
How Saints came of old,
Proclaiming the Gospel of Peace;
That sinful desires,
Like false Baal fires,
Must die ere our troubles can cease.
Vec ooasle yn Theihll
Ayns creoighys tooilleil
Ta traaue ooir as faarkey, Gow cree
Ny jarrood yn fer mie
Ta coadey 'n lught-thie
Ren tooilleil liorish Logh Galilee.
Ye sons of the soil,
In hardship and toil,
That plough both the land and the sea,
Take heart while you can,
And think of the Man
Who toiled by the Lake Galilee.
D'eiyr yn sterrm noon as noal
Yn baatey beg moal
Fo-harey hug Eh geay as keayn
Trooid ooilley nyn ghaue
Ta'n Saualtagh ec laue
Dy choadey nyn Vannin veg veen.
When fierce tempests smote
That frail little boat,
They ceased at His gentle command;
Despite all our fear,
The Saviour is near
To safeguard our dear Fatherland.
Lhig dorrinyn bra
Troggal seose nyn goraa
As brishey magh ayns ard arrane
Ta nyn groink aalin glass
Yn vooir cummal ass
As coadey lught-thie as shioltane.
Let storm-winds rejoice,
And lift up their voice,
No danger our homes can befall;
Our green hills and rocks
Encircle our flocks,
And keep out the sea like a wall.
Nyn Ellan fo-hee
Cha boir noidyn ee
Dy bishee nyn eeastyn as grain
Nee'n Chiarn shin y reayll
Voish strieughyn yn theihll
As crooinnagh lesh shee 'n ashoon ain.
Our Island, thus blest, No foe can molest;
Our grain and our fish shall increase;
From battle and sword Protecteth the Lord,
And crowneth our nation with peace.
Lhig dooin boggoil bee,
Lesh annym as cree,
As croghey er gialdyn yn Chiarn;
Dy vodmayd dagh oor,
Treish teil er e phooar,
Dagh olk ass nyn anmeenyn 'hayrn.
Then let us rejoice
With heart, soul and voice,
And in The Lord's promise confide;
That each single hour
We trust in His power,
No evil our souls can betide.

Further Reading

See Also

External links

Retrieved from "http://manxwiki.com/National_Anthem"

Categories: Music | Culture | Heritage | Historic Events

Personal tools