The Ellan Vannin Tragedy (Featuring Smoke Fairies) - Richard Hawley

Snaefell, Tynwald, Ben My Chree

Fourteen ships had sailed the sea

Proudly bearing a Manx name

But there’s one will never again

Oh Ellan Vannin, of the Isle of Man Company

Oh Ellan Vannin, lost in the Irish Sea

At one a.m. in Ramsey bay

Captain Teare was heard to say

«Our contract said deliver the mail

In this rough weather we must not fail»

Oh Ellan Vannin, of the Isle of Man Company

Oh Ellan Vannin, lost in the Irish Sea

Ocean liners sheltered from the storm

Ellan Vannin on the wave was borne

Her hold was full and battened down

As she sailed towards far Liverpool Town

Oh Ellan Vannin, of the Isle of Man Company

Oh Ellan Vannin, lost in the Irish Sea

With a crew of twenty-one Manxmen

Her passengers Liverpool businessmen

Farewell Mona’s Isle farewell

This little ship was bound for hell

Oh Ellan Vannin, of the Isle of Man Company

Oh Ellan Vannin, lost in the Irish Sea

Less than a mile from the Bar lightship

By a mighty wave Ellan Vannin was hit

She sank in the waters of Liverpool Bay

There she lies until this day

Oh Ellan Vannin, of the Isle of Man Company

Oh Ellan Vannin, lost in the Irish Sea

Few Manxmen now remember

The third day of the month December

The terrible storm in Nineteen-nine

Ellan Vannin sailed for the very last time

Oh Ellan Vannin, of the Isle of Man Company

Oh Ellan Vannin, lost in the Irish Sea