As the unofficial local anthem of Jersey, “Ma Normandie” had references to France in the lyrics, the Jersey government started a search for a new local anthem in 2007, where one of separate identity, such as at the Commonwealth Games, is required. (As a British Crown Dependency, “God Save the King” is the official national anthem.) A traditional Jersey song, “Beautiful Jersey”, which is often played at the anniversary of the liberation of Jersey from Nazi German control, was a front-runner, but at a public concert the following spring, Gerard Le Feuvre’s “Island Home” was selected as the new anthem.
The anthem was apparently inspired by the sounds of Jersey wildlife (the opening three notes, if played two octaves lower, are apparently the lowing of a Jersey cow), Jersey poetry, and Jersey folk music, and was written independently of the contest, in 2002. Lyrics were written both in English and in Jèrriais, a version of the Norman language spoken on the island.
The anthem has not been popular with island residents, with sentiment being more towards either “Ma Normandie” or “Beautiful Jersey”.
Special thanks to: Ben Cahoon for some of this information and Keith Terrett for the music file.