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Jersey could finally settle its long-running and contentious debate over what its national anthem should be – just in time for the 80th anniversary of Liberation.
Liberation Day and ‘Beautiful Jersey’ already hold cultural significance – and are often considered the unofficial national day and national anthem – but the Government wants to know what islanders really think about them, and is launching a formal consultation next week.
22 years ago, local composer and respected cellist Gerald Le Feuvre penned 'Island Home' in St Ouen's Bay – a piece whose lyrics reflect themes of island pride, unity, and faith, with lines such as, "Ours is an island home, firm on rock and strong by sea, loyal and proud in history."
Mr Le Feuvre explained at the time that the melody had taken inspiration from local wildlife – such as the lowing of cows and calls of seabirds – and that the genre was inspired by a collection of Jèrriais folk song recordings made in Jersey in the 1950s by Peter Kennedy.
Video: Mr Le Feuvre speaking about the making of the anthem.
In January 2007, the then-Chief Minister launched a competition to determine a national anthem for Jersey, which resulted in a shortlist of five anthems including Mr Le Feuvre's composition. Deputy Carolyn Labey was in charge of the search.
In the end, a judging panel including the Bailiff, Chief Minister, Education Minister and head of the Jersey Instrumental Music Service selected 'Island Home' as the winner.
However, 'Island Home' was never ratified by the States Assembly and failed to gain widespread adoption across the island.
In 2019, the then-Chief Minister John Le Fondré put together a policy development board to look at Island Identify, considering the national anthem among other things. A report by the group concluded that Island Home was not "sufficiently lodged in the consciousness of the people of Jersey to legitimate its official adoption".
Prior to that point, Jersey had used multiple anthems, including 'Ma Normandie', which reflects the island's historic ties to the Duchy of Normandy and was played at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games – but it failed to make the shortlist.
Jersey had also used the official British national anthem, 'God Save the King/Queen', but it was still felt that this was not sufficiently 'Jersey'.
That wasn't a problem with one anthem however, which is undeniably "lodged in the consciousness of the people of Jersey" – in part, thanks to an icon of the States Assembly, the late, great Constable of St Saviour, Sadie Le Sueur-Rennard.
'Beautiful Jersey' – composed before 1906 and made popular during the Occupation – has remained a widely used patriotic song, particularly at Liberation Day celebrations and sporting events.
Listen: Sadie Le Sueur-Rennard singing 'Beautiful Jersey', accompanied by the Band of the Island of Jersey. (YouTube)
The lyrics, written by Fred Birt and Jack Hart, aim to be nostalgic and patriotic, with lyrics such as: "Beautiful Jersey, gem of the sea / Ever my heart will long for thee."
A 2015, a poll found strong public support for 'Beautiful Jersey', with over a third favouring it compared to less than 20% for 'Island Home'.
John Le Fondré's Government resolved that the matter of a national anthem required public attention once again, and in 2022, the party he unsuccessfully stood for – the Jersey Alliance Party led by Sir Mark Boleat – made it a key part of their policy agenda.
Their manifesto stated: "A nation must have an agreed national anthem. Jersey does not. Island Home, Beautiful Jersey and Ma Normandie are all used. This issue should be settled through a properly structured public consultation."
Pictured: Rebecca Arthur said it was "truly special" to sing Jersey's unofficial national anthem at the 2024 Liberation Day celebrations.
While the party was ultimately unsuccessful, the workstream has nonetheless continued under now-International Development Minister Caroline Labey, who has political responsibility for matters of 'Island Identity'.
She said the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day on 9 May 2025 could present the perfect opportunity to formalise the island’s important cultural traditions.
Deputy Labey said: “We hope to strengthen a sense of community and citizenship in Jersey through this consultation, while also commemorating our heritage and history. It would be lovely to formalise both a national day and a Jersey anthem in time for the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day next year."
Pictured: International Development Minister Carolyn Labey is leading the Island Identity project.
She continued: “The song ‘Beautiful Jersey’ is already viewed by many as our anthem and has been used at public and sporting events for some time. However, it has never been officially agreed as such.
“Adopting 9 May as an official national day will not change the way Liberation Day is celebrated, but it will help jurisdictions around the world better understand its importance to Islanders.”
Responses to the consultation will feature in a report currently scheduled to be published on 3 February 2025. Those findings will be presented to the States Assembly for debate at a later date.
The consultation form can be filled out online or sent via post before 18 January 2025 to:
Island Identity
Government of Jersey
Union Street
St Helier
JE2 3DN
Hard copies will be available at all 12 parish halls and in upcoming editions of parish magazines.
Pictured top: Constable Sadie Le Sueur-Rennard singing Beautiful Jersey on Liberation Day in Jersey in 2007.
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