Manx Folk: The Sea Invocation (Geay Jeh’n aer) | Marianne Lihannah | Charlotte Poulter (Harp)

Sung LIVE in English by Marianne Lihannah and played on the harp by Charlotte Poulter. Collected by Mona Douglas from Mrs Shimmin of Foxdale, arrangement by Fenella Bazin. Mona Douglas was told by Mrs Shimmin that the women of Peel would sing this as their men sailed out to the fishing. A uniquely beautiful prayer to the God of the Sea, Manannan*. This song features a refrain of meaningless syllables, which has often been used in lullabies. They were originally thought of as protective spells. Songs of this kind penetrate deeply into the racial subconsciousness, reflecting the ancient association of music and magic. Perhaps that is part of the function of the meaningless refrain; to communicate with the other world you must use a different and secret language. * Manannán has strong ties to the Isle of Man, where he is referenced in a traditional ballad as having been the nation’s first ruler. At Midsummer, the Manx people offer bundles of reeds, meadow grasses and yellow flowers t