manx celtic music and dance

The Wreck of the Brig Lily

24 Nov 2016

There can be few who have not heard of the Brig Lily, a vessel which exploded in a spectacular fashion at The Sound on 28 December 1852 but sadly with considerable loss of life. That incident led to two songs being composed, one in English by Thomas Shimmin, better known at the time as “Tom the Dipper,” and a second in Manx by John Nelson whose name is all that is known about him. They were reproduced in the Isle of Man Examiner in January 1926 and are reprinted here to make both tests better known.

Brig Lily lyrics in English composed by Thomas Shimmin

Brig Lily lyrics composed in Manx by John Nelson

Thanks to Stephen Miller, Vienna

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