Thurles Information

Ellan Vannin.

Lyrics: English poet and actress the late Eliza S. Craven Green (1803-1866).
Vocals: British singer and songwriter the late Robin Gibb (1949-2012) member of the Bee Gees, with the King William College Choir.

“Ellan Vannin,” is a much-loved song of the Isle of Man, so loved, in fact, that it is often described as the island’s alternative national anthem. The words were written by Eliza Craven Green in the nineteenth century, and the title means “Isle of Man” in Manx.
This version hereunder is especially poignant because it is sung by Robin Gibb, who was born on the Isle of Man, together with the King William College Choir. Manx Music lists this performance among notable versions of the song, and contemporary accounts note Robin Gibb’s deep connection with the island and its music.
With its gentle melody and words of longing for “green hills by the sea,” “Ellan Vannin” is both a song of home and a tribute to Manx identity.

Ellan Vannin.

Ellan Vannin.

When the summer day is over,
It’s busy cares have flown,
I will sit beneath the starlight,
With a weary heart alone.

Then it rises like a vision,
Sparkling bright it shines for me,
My own dear Ellan Vannin,
With it’s green hills by the sea.

Let me hear the ocean murmur,
Let me watch your stormy sky,
Then above the emerald waters,
Sings the seagull as she flies.

Then it rises like a vision,
Sparkling bright it shines for me,
My own dear Ellan Vannin,
With it’s green hills by the sea.

And in all my times of sorrow,
And on some lonely shore,
I’ll go back to Ellan Vannin,
To my childhood days once more.

I’ll go back once more.

END

The Cold Hard Truth.

Lyrics: Acclaimed American country music singer-songwriter and guitarist, the late Jamie O’Hara (1950–2021).
Vocals: American country musician, singer, and songwriter, the late George Jones (1931–2013).

Singer George Jones had a way of taking heartbreak and making it sound like a confession. In 1999, on his late-career album “Cold Hard Truth”, he proved that nobody could still cut straight to the bone quite like “The Possum.” Written by Jamie O’Hara, “The Cold Hard Truth” is country music at its most honest: no polish, no excuses, just the painful moment when love and reality finally meet.

The Cold Hard Truth.

The Cold Hard Truth.

You don’t know who I am,
But I know all about you.
I’ve come to talk to you tonight,
About the things I’ve seen you do.
I’ve come to set the record straight.
I’ve come to shine the light on you.
Let me introduce myself,
I am the cold hard truth.
There is a woman we both know,
I think you know the one I mean.
She gave her heart and soul to you.
You gave her only broken dreams.
You say your not the one to blame,
For all the heartaches she’s been though.
I say you’re nothing but a liar,
And I’m the cold hard truth.
All your life that’s how it’s been,
Lookin’ out for number one,
Takin’ more than you give,
Moving on when you’re done.
With her you could have had it all,
A family and love to last,
If you had any sense at all,
You’d go and beg her to come back.
You think that you’re a real man,
But you’re nothing but a fool,
The way you run away from love,
The way you try to play it cool.
I’m gonna say this just one time,
Time is running out on you,
You best remember me my friend,
I am the cold hard truth.
You best remember me my friend,
I am the cold hard truth.

End.