My Dad was from the Isle of Man - His version was told to my Sister and I on heavy weather nights to tune us in to the power of nature I reckon, growing up in Oxfordshire as young kids. I loved it because he would go extra deep in his voice, and slower too (the slower the phrasing the better not the words themselves) - like a cross between Richard Burton and an old cold deep Saxon story teller - being part Viking both my Sister and I were spellbound with the passion of it all - even if told several several several times in a row almost making us pee with laughter - I miss you Dad xxxx Peter Richard Kegg xxxx Here it is -

'It was a dark and stormy night.. and Antonio, chief of the Brigands - said unto Sebastian - "Sebastian! Spin us a yarn!" - and Sebastian spun as follows... 'It was a dark and stormy night...'