Many years ago when I was living in South Africa I remember going to see the one leg of  the round the world boat race in Cape Town.  My children came with me as it was mother’s day and it was my last month on the island.  The Manx boat as well as other competitors was there and each ship had a signature song for the race.

When they announced the Manx boat, Ellan Vannin started to play, and my son jumped up and said to his sister “stand up for the Manx National Anthem”.  Although it is not and I did explain that to him that  the song itself stirs a certain amount of patriotism in those who have lived, left and loved the island that it could almost be its anthem.