Manx National Anthem | Ellan Vannin | Vist the Isle of Man

Our Sister Band - Ellan Vannin Pipes and Drums - History

 

 

 

BAND HISTORY -
The band was originally formed in 1984 by a small group of enthusiasts, and was then known as the St. Andrews Pipe Band.
In 1988 the name was changed to the Cair Vie Manx Pipe Band. 'Cair Vie' is Manx Gaelic for 'fair wind' or 'fair passage'.
There was another change in name when it was decided in 1998 that the band should become known as: 'Ellan Vannin Pipes and Drums', as it is still known today.
At the present time there are about a dozen pipers who play regularly under the leadership of Pipe Major Barry Egerton.
The Drum Corps, headed by Leading Drummer Noel Wilson, can call upon five snare drummers, four tenor drummers and a bass drummer.
In addition to this there are a number of 'learners', pipers and drummers, at various stages of tuition, who we hope will soon be playing out with the band at public performances.

TARTAN
The Band originally wore the Ancient Gunn tartan. This tartan has an association with the Isle of Man in that the Gunns claim descent from Guin, son of the Noresman, Olaf the Black (d.1237) who was King of Mann and the Isles. The Gunn Clan Badge still shows the 'Three Legs of Mann' to this day.
In 1999 the band changed to wearing the 'Manx National Tartan' designed in 1946 by Patricia McQuaid for a competition in tartan design.
There are about a dozen listed 'Manx' Tartans, but the one worn by the band is very unusual in that it consists of Seven Colours. Most Tartans have between three and five colours. The popular 'Laxey Manx Tartan' has six.
The seven colours are said to represent:

The Light Blue of the Sky
The Dark Blue of the Sea
The Green of the hills & valleys
The White of the Cottages
The Purple of the Heather
The Yellow of the Gorse in bloom
The Red of the flowers of the Fuchsia
Top of page

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manx National Anthem

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.

Let storm winds rejoice, and lift up their voice
No danger our homes can befall
Our green hills and rocks, encircle our flocks
And keeps out the sea like a wall.

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.
Top of page

Ellan Vannin

When the summer day is over,
and the busy cares have flown,
I sit beneath the starlight
With a weary heart alone.
then rises like a vision,
Sparkling bright in Nature's glee,
My own dear Ellan Vannin,
With its green hills by the sea.

Then I hear the wavelets murmer.
As they kiss the fairy shore,
Then beneath the emarald waters,
Sing the Mermaid as of yore,
And the fair Isle shines with beauty,
As in youth it dawned on me.
My own dear Ellan Vannin,
With its green hills by the sea.

Then mem'ries sweet and tender
Come like music's plaintive flow,
Of the hearts in Ellan Vannin
That loved me long ago,
And I give with tears and blessings
My fonderst thoughts to thee.
My own dear Ellan Vannin,
With its green hills by the sea.
Top of page