Interview with William Cubbon, Mrs Cubbon and Professor Marstrander about Manx Gaelic, ballads and the fishing industry
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Date(s): 15 July 1951
Creator(s): Manx Museum
Scope & Content: Interview with William Cubbon about the Manx language, ballads and the fishing industry. Cubbon recites part of ‘Among the Fiddlers' by Thomas Kermode. (This is a recitation of an English translation of a well known Manx Gaelic song 'Marish ny Fiddleryn'.) He explains that Thomas from Bradda was named Boy Doal (Blind Boy) who went to sea as a fisherman in the early 1880s; he had good Manx and memorised some of the ballads his parents had told him and in 1883 Dr Clague the Manx scholar took down the ballad; William recites the ballad in English which tells how the lovers met among the fiddlers at Christmas time and met often for seven years during their courtship; how on Ash Wednesday the man found that his lover was promised to wed another and he cursed her; he would now go alone to St Patrick’s fair; and he was yearning for his love but he would not let on and would never forget her.
William tells how on this Tynwald day (1951) his 'old friend' Professor Marstrander is sitting by his side in his home; how the professor first visited the Isle of Man in 1929 and 1930 to study the Manx language; how Professor Marstrander studied on the last occasion with Harry Kelly of Cregneash, Thomas Christian of Ramsey and Cesar Cregeen of Peel and many others; in that year Marstrander published his great study of Manx history entitled 'The Norwegian Conquest of Man'; how the Isle of Man is so fortunate in attracting such a scholar so well versed in Norwegian and the Manx language; and William asks the professor what he thinks of the Manx Museum.
Professor Marstrander says that although the Museum is small he wonders whether the Manx appreciate what they have; how the collection of crosses is so unique that even the Louvre could not buy it; the crosses are without parallel in the world and are one of the main sources in the study of Norse mythology; how 150 years before written records in Norway the myths were carved in stone on the Isle of Man, not just written but also figured; and the wood carvings in Norway are from centuries later and not nearly so expressive and primitive as the Manx ones.
Administration / Biographical History: This recording was made for the Manx Folk Life Survey.
William Cubbon was a journalist, librarian and director of the Manx Museum (1865-1955). Carl Johan Sverdrup Marstrander was a Celtic linguist and historian (1883-1965).
Language: English
Extent: 8 min. 45 sec.
Item name: magnetic tape
Collection: Sound Archive
Level: ITEM
ID number: SA 0048
Access conditions: All reasonable attempt has been made by Manx National Heritage to trace and request permission (where needed) from the copyright holder(s) in this sound recording. If however you think you are a rights holder then please contact Manx National Heritage.
Subject tags : #UOSH, #UOSHManxFolkLifeSurvey