Beautiful Jersey or Man Bieau P'tit Jèrri is a Jersey patriotic song, sung in Jèrriais and English. It was composed by an Englishman, Lindsay Lennox, who died in 1906.[1][2] During the Occupation, islanders would sing the song to keep their spirits up.[3] Today it is performed at Liberation Day and as Jersey's national anthem at some sporting events.[4][1]
Every year, Beautiful Jersey is sung at the main Liberation Day service in Liberation Square. Sadie Le Sueur-Rennard, the late Connétable of St Saviour used to sing the song.[4]
It is considered by many as a suitable national anthem for Jersey,[5] and functioned as an unofficial anthem for Jersey prior to Island Home being declared the official Jersey anthem.[citation needed] Even still, it has been performed as the national anthem for Jersey in the 2015 Island Games for the opening and medal ceremonies.[1]
In a 2015 poll by the Jersey Evening Post, over a third of islanders questioned wanted Beautiful Jersey to be recognised as the national anthem for Jersey, compared to under 20% for Island Home, the official anthem.[1]
The song is commonly sung in both Jèrriais and English. The Jèrriais lyrics are in copyright and not available on Wikipedia. The lyrics in English as follows are usually sung second –[6]
There's a spot that I love that I ne'er can forget,
Tho' far I may roam 'twill be dear.
For its beauty will linger in memory yet,
Where'er o'er the world I may steer.
Dear Jersey, fair Isle, of the ocean the queen,
Thy charms are so many and rare;
For love finds a home 'mid each beauteous scene,
My heart ever longs to be there.
Beautiful Jersey, gem of the sea,
Ever my heart turns in longing to thee;
Bright are the mem'ries you waken for me,
Beautiful Jersey, gem of the sea.
On thy shores I have wandered in glad days of yore,
With one who is dear to my heart.
And the love-links will bind us as one evermore,
Although for a while we must part.
And oft in my dreams do I see the dear place
The dear little Isle of the sea,
And in fancy I gaze on a sweet loving face,
The face that is dearest to me.
— Beautiful Jersey (lyrics in English), Jersey War Tunnels