Written by Hughie Jones - this and many other favourites appear in 'Hughie's Ditty Bag' available from the address on 'Hughie's Page' Play with the capo on 2nd fret
Am Dm Am
Snaefell, Tyndwall, Benmychree,
C Am E Am
Fourteen ships have sailed the sea.
Am D G E
Proudly bearing a Manx name,
Am Em Am Dm
But there's one will never again.
Chorus:
Dm Am Dm Am
O Ellan Vannin, of the Isle of Man Company,
Dm Am C Em Am
O Ellan Vannin, lost on the Irish Sea.
At one a.m. in Ramsey Bay
Captain Teare was heard to say
"The contract says deliver the mail
In this rough weather we must not fail."
Chorus
Liners sheltered from the storm
On the wave Ellan Vannin was borne
Her holds were full and battened down
As she sailed away for Liverpool town.
Chorus
Her crew were twenty one Manx men
Passengers Liverpool businessmen
"Farewell to Mona's Isle, farewell
This little boat is bound for Hell!"
Chorus
Less than a mile from the Bar Lightship
Ellan Vannin by a wave was hit
She sank 'neath the waters of Liverpool Bay
There she lies until this day.
Chorus
Few Manx men now remember
The third day of the month December
That terrible sstorm of nineteen-o-nine
Ellan Vannin sailed for the very last time.
