William Henry Gill (composer)

For other people named William Gill, see William Gill.

William Henry Gill (24 October 1839 – 27 June 1923) was a Manx musical scholar who wrote and composed the anthem of Isle of Man, "Arrane Ashoonagh Dy Vannin".^[2]

William Henry Gill
Born	24 October 1839 Marsala, Sicily
Died	27 June 1923 (aged 83) Angmering, Sussex, England[1]

Life and career

Gill was born at Marsala, Sicily to Manx parents, and he was educated at King William's College.^[3] He lived in London, England most of his life but remained interested in his roots. The anthem is a traditional Manx ballad. Gill's words were published as "Eaisht oo as Clash-tyn" ("Listen and Hear") in Manx National Songs in 1896. "The Manx Fisherman's Evening Hymn" and "Peel Castle."^[4] Gill also collected and arranged material in England, particularly that associated with Sussex.^[1]

Gill also published A Manx Wedding and Other Songs.^[5]