Sarnia Cherie

Sarnia Cherie is used as the anthem of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands. 'Sarnia' is a traditional Latin name for the island, hence, the title translates as 'Dear Guernsey'. George Deighton wrote Sarnia Cherie in 1911, with Domenico Santangelo subsequently composing the tune later that year. The song was first performed at St. Julian’s Theatre - which is now the Gaumont Cinema - in November 1911. Sarnia Cherie was G.B. Edwards's title for The Book of Ebenezer le Page on the original typescript he gave to Edward Chaney in 1974 but Hamish Hamilton decided to use his subtitle when they published it in 1981, chosing, however, to add Deighton's song as an epigraph instead. In 2005, the then Chief Minister, Laurie Morgan, called for an updated version, which seems to have been abandoned after it met with near-universal opposition. The sheet music has been republished (c)2009 Ray Lowe, Sark. A CD of 13 renditions of the song has been released. Included on the CD is a recording from May 9, 1945, when British Troops landed in St. Peter Port to Liberate the Island after 5 years of German Occupation during WWII. CD available from the Guernsey Visitor Centre, St. Peter Port, Guernsey.

Sarnia; dear Homeland, Gem of the sea.

Island of beauty, my heart longs for thee.

Thy voice calls me ever, in waking, or sleep,

Till my soul cries with anguish, my eyes ache to weep.

In fancy I see thee, again as of yore,

Thy verdure clad hills and thy wave beaten shore.

Thy rock sheltered bays, ah; of all thou art best,

I'm returning to greet thee, dear island of rest.

CHORUS

Sarnia Cherie. Gem of the sea.

Home of my childhood, my heart longs for thee.

Thy voice calls me ever, forget thee I'll never,

Island of beauty. Sarnia Cherie.

I left thee in anger, I knew not thy worth.

Journeyed afar, to the ends of the earth.

Was told of far countries, the heav'n of the bold,

Where the soil gave up diamonds, silver and gold.

The sun always shone, and "race" took no part,

But thy cry always reached me, its pain wrenched my heart.

So I'm coming home, thou of all art the best.

Returning to greet thee, dear island of rest.

CHORUS