The Island Hymn

"The Island Hymn" is the patriotic song of the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island. It was first conceived early in 1908 by Professor Harry Watts of the Charlottetown School of Music who at the suggestion of Rev. Dr. Thomas Fullerton, contacted Island author and poet Lucy Maud Montgomery asking if she would compose the hymn's lyrics, which she wrote in 1908. A stanza from the "Hymn" was performed for the first time in public on May 22 of that year at a combined school event marking both Arbor Day and Empire Day. Written to the metre of God Save the King, it was sung to Lawrence W. Watson's music, which had been composed especially for her lyric at the request of Professor Watts. The full piece was not performed until school closing exercises the following June 29th, as Watts recalled, that the "Hymn" was first sung in its entirety.[1]

The manuscript music, dated 27 Oct 1908, and correspondence relating to it are displayed at Green Gables House, Cavendish, PEI. An edition for mixed-voice choir composed by Christopher Gledhill was printed by Leslie Music Supply for the Prince Edward Island 1973 Centennial Committee.


"The Island Hymn" was adopted as the provincial anthem of Prince Edward Island by the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island on May 7, 2010. The Provincial Anthem Act includes a French version of "The Island Hymn" called "L’hymne de l’Île". This French version was adapted by Raymond J. Arsenault of Abram-Village.[2]

Fair Island of the sea,

We raise our song to thee,

The bright and blest;

Loyally now we stand

As brothers, hand in hand,

And sing God save the land

We love the best.

Upon our princely Isle

May kindest fortune smile

In coming years;

Peace and prosperity

In all her borders be,

From every evil free,

And weakling fears.

Prince Edward Isle, to thee

Our hearts shall faithful be

Where'er we dwell;

Forever may we stand

As brothers, hand in hand,

And sing God save the land

We love so well.

See also

References
  1. Kendall, John (Fall–Winter 1998). "Fair Island of the Sea". The Island Magazine (44): 35–39. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  2. InfoPEI, website of the Government of Prince Edward Island


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