Ellan Vannin Lyrics

mudcat.org: Ellen Vannen/Ellan Vannin - definitive name/lyrics

Subject: RE: Ellen Vannen
From: Bobby Bob, Ellan Vannin
Date: 05 Dec 98 - 01:29 PM

The name, 'Ellan Vannin' is the Manx Gaelic name for 'the island of Mannin', the Isle of Man, in the Irish Sea at the centre of the Celtic world, from where the great god, Manannan Mac Lir, rules the sea.

The vessel itself was called the 'Ellan Vannin', so perhaps you'll find it under that spelling. Just as a matter of interest, the vessel also had a nickname, the 'Li'l (Little) Daisy'.

On 3 December 1909, she left Ramsey in the Isle of Man to sail to Liverpool. As she was entering the River Mersey, she was apparently swamped by a wave which broke over her stern, and she sank with loss of all aboard.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has never used the name 'Ellan Vannin' for any of its vessels since.

A great 20th Century collector of Manx folklore, music, dance, etc was Mona Douglas. According to Mona, her mother was heavily pregnant with Mona when she set off to visit relations in Liverpool in 1898. Unexpectedly, she went into early labour, so Mona Douglas says she was born on board the 'Ellan Vannin'.

Later, her father was due to go to Liverpool on board the 'Ellan Vannin', but Mona says she had some sort of vision of burning out on the sea, and she begged her father not to go. Her father was willing to humour her, so he didn't go. That was the night that the 'Ellan Vannin' went down.

The story of the wreck of the 'Ellan Vannin' was in a book by Fred Henry about the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Ltd that big John Kaneen sent to Hughie Jones of The Spinners. Hughie made the song about the wreck of the 'Ellan Vannin' from the information there.

I don't know if the song is in the database. If not, it's pretty well known round here, so could be posted for you.

Subject: RE: Ellen Vannen
From: Bernard
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 07:40 AM

It's only dreary if sung in a dreary manner!

;o)

Some people have a way of singing that allows the tune to dictate how the words should be sung, but this is definitely a song where the words modify the tune beyond a simple rhythmic adjustment.

Not quite 'recitative' (pronounced 'ressitateeve', a classical term for words being recited to a tune, often preceding an aria, etc.), but going in that direction.

Listen to a recording of Hughie singing it, and you'll understand what I mean.

Roan of Ellan Vannin

Celtic culture, a historical encyclopedia

The encyclopedia of popular music, Smith, Leo - Wildchild