The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #74282   Message #1294602
Posted By: Susanne (skw)
11-Oct-04 - 05:35 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: The Drowning of Ellen Valin?
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Drowning of Ellen Valin?
Seaking, thanks for posting this. A couple of the names are spelled differently, however.
EllAn Vannin has been pointed out by Q above.
Snaefell, Tynwald and Ben my-Chree in the first line were three other ships of the Isle of Man Co. named after Man's highest mountain, the Manx Parliament and a Manx expression respectively. (From the Isle of Man website: Ben-my-Chree is actually a term of endearment in the Manx Gaelic language. Literally it means Ben (wife) my (my) Chree (heart).) The Spinners recording was first released on 'More Folk at the Phil', later reissued as 'An Evening With The Spinners' (which I have).
Wil's family history certainly puts the song on a timescale in the way the mere mention of the year cannot do. Thanks, Wil!