Anthem for Jersey

​Island Home

Ours is an Island home
Firm on rock and strong by sea
Loyal and proud in history,
Our thankful hearts are
Raised to God for Jersey.

The beauty of our land
Long inspires both eye and mind.
Ours the privilege to guard its shore
So help we God that
Jersey might by grace endure.

A Jèrriais translation is available below.

Download Jèrriais translation of Anthem for Jersey (size 16kb)

You are able to listen to recordings of the anthem below. The first recording by the Band of the Island of Jersey is for brass band only; the second for band, string orchestra and mixed choirs. Note the position regarding copyright which is set out in the explanatory note at the foot of this page.

Download brass band version of  'Island Home' (size 647kb)

Download choir v​ersion of 'Island Home' (size 559kb)

You are also able to download the basic choral with keyboard accompaniment sheet music to 'Island Home'.

Download basic choral with keyboard accompaniment sheet music (size 34kb)

For copies of the orchestral and brass sheet music to 'Island Home' email the Cultural Development Officer at the Department for Education, Sport and Culture.

Inspiration behind Jersey's anthem

Nine things you may not know about 'Island Home'

1. the melody was in part inspired by the sounds of Jersey wildlife
2. the first three notes if played two octaves lower are the lowing of a Jersey cow
3. often in the melody there are two tied notes descending, imitating various island sea birds
4. the musical genre was inspired from the Peter Kennedy (internationally renowned folk music collector) collection of Jèrriais folk song recordings made in Jersey in the 1950s
5. Island Home was not written for the competition but written in 2002 in St Ouen's bay
6. Island Home formed the backbone of Gerard's enormous symphonic work about 800 years of Jersey history entitled 'The Rock'. The work was written specifically to unify the island in thanksgiving
7. Gerard's vision for a unified island came in part from JJ Le Marquand's remarkable poem 'La Vie' written as a song of hope during the occupation
8. In 2008, the local antiques dealer Steven Cohu uncovered a 19th century Jersey song set to traditional English music called 'Hurrah for Jersey'. The song declares 'the English, French and Jersey men form a joyous band' - a fore-runner of Gerard's dream of unity that today includes the Portuguese and Polish communities among others
9. further inspiration for Island Home was found in the writing of Victor Hugo

View 'Recording of Jersey Anthem' video on YouTube website

View 'Making of Jersey Anthem (interview with Gerard Le Feuvre)' video on YouTube website

Short biography of the composer

Gerard Le Feuvre was born in Jersey 1962 and educated at Victoria College Prep, Victoria College and Hautlieu. He then won music scholarships, as a cellist and composer, to study at the Royal Academy of Music, the Banff Arts Centre, Yale and the Sibelius Academy in Finland. 

He has broadcast and performed as soloist across Europe and the Americas. He founded the Kings Chamber Orchestra (KCO) of London which today gives 40 concerts a year and has a worldwide following through its recordings.  KCO give regular first performances of his compositions, many of which are about Jersey, and explore his lifelong interest in redemption and the human spirit. 

His work for cello and string orchestra, Jersey Dreams, has received over 15 performances in the UK and excited interest around the world.  In 2000 he was made an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music.  

Explanatory note on copyright 

The States of Jersey and Gerard B. Le Feuvre ("the Composer") are committed to ensuring that the Jersey Anthem ("the Anthem") benefits from widespread use.  It is intended to celebrate the Island of Jersey and to encourage a sense of pride and identity in Jersey among all parts of the community.

Whilst all proprietary rights in the music and lyrics in the Anthem are reserved by the Composer, it has been agreed that the Anthem may be used on a non-commercial basis (including the performance, broadcasting, recording, distribution and publication of the Anthem) without seeking the prior consent of the Composer. However, no attempt to exploit the Anthem for commercial gain should be undertaken except under licence from the Composer. Applications for licences for commercial purposes should be directed to the Composer at Les Frenes, La Ville de l’Eglise, St Ouen, Jersey, JE3 2LR or via The Kings Chamber Orchestra’s website.

The Kings Chamber Orchestra website

Any publication of the Anthem must attribute the lyrics and music to the Composer.  No alteration of the lyrics or music is permitted without the written consent of the Composer.  Care must be taken not to give any false attribution of the Anthem, nor to use it other than with respect and dignity, nor to breach its integrity.

Official recordings and printed music can also be obtained directly from the Composer at the  address or via the website stated above.