Homepage Welsh Rugby Songbook Non-Welsh Songs Hen Wlad fy Nhadau Myfanwy Sospan Fach Men of Harlech Ar Hyd y Nos Cwm Rhondda Calon Lan Ar Lan y Mor

Hen Wlad fy Nhadau (Land of my Fathers) [Top] Hen Wlad fy Nhadau is the patriotic and passionate Welsh National anthem, and the sound of 50,000 Welshmen singing it on International day at Cardiff has be known to make grown men cry. It is believed that a weaver from Mid Glamorgan, Evan James, wrote the words one morning in January 1856 to a tune composed by his son James James. The date of the song's adoption as the national anthem is subject to debate, but it is known that the tune was given prominence in 1874, and since that date has been considered the song which expresses Welsh nationalism. As can be seen from the translation, Evan James' words invoke images of a Wales of bards and patriots. Though he wrote three verses, the last two are very seldom sung. Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn anwyl i mi, Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri; Ei gwrol rhyfelwyr, gwlad garwyr tra mad, Tros ryddid collasant eu gwaed. Cytgan: Gwlad, gwlad, pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad, Tra mor yn fur I'r bur hoff bau, O bydded i'r heniaith barhau. Hen Gymru fynyddig, paradwys y bardd, Pob dyffryn, pob clogwyn, i'm golwg sydd hardd; Trwy deimlad gwladgarol, mor swynol yw si Ei nentydd, afonydd, i mi. Cytgan: Os treisiodd y gelyn fy ngwlad dan ei droed, Mae hen iaith y Cymry mor fyw ag erioed, Ni luddiwyd yr awen gan erchyll law brad, Na thelyn berseiniol fy ngwlad. Cytgan: The old land of my fathers is dear to me, A land of poets and singers, famous people of renown Its brave warriors, great patriots, For freedom they lost their blood Chorus My Country, my Country, I champion my Country's cause, While the sea is a wall For the pure, dear country, O may the "old language" continue Old mountainous Wales, paradise of the poet, Every valley, every cliff is beautiful in my sight; Through patriotic feeling, more enchanting is the murmur Of her streams and rivers to me. Chorus: If the enemy violated my country underfoot, The "old language" of the Welsh is alive as ever, The spirit wasn't hindered by the awful, treacherous hand Nor the sweet harp of my country. Chorus: Myfanwy [Top] Pa ham mae dicter, O Myfanwy, Yn llenwi'th lygaid duon ddi? A'th ruddiau tirion, O Myfanwy, Heb wrido wrth fy ngweled i? Pa le mae'r wen oedd ar dy wefus Fu'n cynnau 'nghariad ffyddlon ffol? Pa le mae sain dy eiriau melys, Fu'n denu'n nghalon ar dy ôl? Pa beth a wneuthym, O Myfanwy, I haeddu gwg dy ddwyrudd hardd? Ai chwarae oeddit, O Myfanwy  thanau euraidd serch dy fardd? Wyt eiddo im drwy gywir amod Ai gormod cadw'th air i mi? Ni cheisiaf fyth mo'th law, Myfanwy, Heb gael dy galon gyda hi. Myfanwy boed yr holl o'th fywyd Dan heulwen disglair canol dydd. A boed i rosyn gwridog ienctid I ddawnsio ganmlwydd ar dy rudd. Aug hofiar oll o'th add ewidion A wnest i rywun, 'ngeneth ddel, A rho dy law, Myfanwy dirion I ddim ond dweud y gair "Ffarwel". Why is it anger, O Myfanwy, That fills your eyes so dark and clear? Your gentle cheeks, O sweet Myfanwy, Why blush they not when I draw near? Where is the smile that once most tender Kindled my love so fond, so true? Where is the sound of your sweet words, That drew my heart to follow you? What have I done, O my Myfanwy, To earn your frown? What is my blame? Was it just play, my sweet Myfanwy, To set your poet's love aflame? You truly once to me were promised, Is it too much to keep your part? I wish no more your hand, Myfanwy, If I no longer have your heart. Myfanwy, may you spend your lifetime Beneath the midday sunshine's glow, And on your cheeks O may the roses Dance for a hundred years or so. Forget now all the words of promise You made to one who loved you well, Give me your hand, my sweet Myfanwy, But one last time, to say "farewell" Sospan Fach (the Little Saucepan) [Top] Mae bys Mari Ann wedi gwywo, A Dafydd y gwas ddim yn iach; Mae'r Baban yn y crud yn crio, A'r gath wedi scrapo Johnny bach Sospan fach yn berwi ar y tân Sosban fawr yn berwi ar y llawr A'r gath wedi scrapo Johnny bach. Dai bach yn sowldiwr, Dai bach yn sowldiwr, Dai bach yn sowldiwr, A chwt i grys e' mas. Mae bys Mari Ann wedi gwella, A Dafydd y gwas yn ei fedd; Mae'r baban yn y crud wedi tyfu, A'r gath wedi huno mewn hedd. Sospan fach yn berwi ar y tân Sosban fawr yn berwi ar y llawr A'r gath wedi huno mewn hedd. Dai bach yn sowldiwr, Dai bach yn sowldiwr, Dai bach yn sowldiwr, A chwt i grys e' mas. My sweet Mary Ann's hurt her finger, And David the servant's feeling weak; And the baby's crying now in its cradle, The cat's scratching Johnny on the cheek Little saucepan is boiling on the fire, Big saucepan boils over on the floor, The cat's scratching Johnny on the cheek. David the soldier, David the soldier, David the soldier, His shirttail's hanging out. My sweet Mary Ann's feeling better, And David the servant's in his grave; And the baby's sleeping now in his cradle, The cat has decided to behave. Little saucepan is boiling on the fire, Big saucepan boils over on the floor, The cat has decided to behave. David the soldier, David the soldier, David the soldier, His shirttail's hanging out. Men of Harlech [Top] Wele goelcerth wen yn fflamio A thafodau tân yn bloeddio Ar i'r dewrion ddod i daro, Unwaith eto'n un: Gan fanllefau'r tywysogion, Llais gelynion, trwst arfogion, A charlamiad y marchogion, Craig ar graig a gryn Arfon byth ni orfydd, Cenir yn dragywydd; Cymru fydd fel Cymru fu, Yn glodfawr ymysg gwledydd; 'Ngwyn oleuni'r goelcerth acw, Tros wefusau Cymro'n marw, Annibyniaeth sydd yn galw, Am ei dewraf ddyn. Ni chaiff gelyn ladd ac ymlid Harlech! Harlech! cwyd i'w herlid Y mae Rhoddwr mawr ein Rhyddid Yn rhoi nerth i ni. Wele Gymru a'i byddinoedd Yn ymdywallt o'r mynyddoedd! Rhuthrant fel rhaeadrau dyfroedd, Llamant fel y lli! Llwyddiant i'n marchogion Rwystro gledd yr estron! Gwybod yn ei galon gaiff, Fel bratha cleddyf Brython; Y cledd yn erbyn cledd a chwery, Dur yn erbyn dur a dery, Wele faner Gwalia'i fyny, Rhyddid aiff â hi! Men of Harlech! In the Hollow, Do ye hear like rushing billow Wave on wave that surging follow Battle's distant sound? Tis the tramp of Saxon foemen, Saxon spearmen, Saxon bowmen, Be they knights or hinds or yeomen, They shall bite the ground! Loose the folds asunder, Flag we conquer under! The placid sky now bright on high, Shall launch its bolts in thunder! Onward! 'tis the country needs us, He is bravest, he who leads us Honor's self now proudly heads us, Freedom, God and Right! Rocky Steeps and passes narrow, Flash with spear and flight of arrow Who would think of death or sorrow? Death is glory now! Hurl the reeling horsemen over, Let the earth dead foemen cover Fate of friend, of wife, of lover, Trembles on a blow! Strands of life are riven! Blow for blow is given In deadly lock, or battle shock, And mercy shrieks to heaven! Men of Harlech! young or hoary, Would you win a name in story? Strike for home, for life, for glory! Freedom, God and Right! Ar Hyd y Nos (All Through the Night) [Top] Ar Hyd Y Nos is one of the most widely known and best loved Welsh folk songs. The tune was first recorded in the Musical Relics Of The Welsh Bards (c. 1784). The Welsh words are by the prolific poet John Ceiriog Hughes (1832-1887). In English, this song is often set as a lullabye to words by Harold Boulton. These words can be found in many songbooks. Holl amrantau'r sêr ddywedant Ar hyd y nos. Dyma'r ffordd i fro gogoniant Ar hyd y nos. Golau arall yw tywyllwch, I arddangos gwir brydferthwch, Teulu'r nefoedd mewn tawelwch Ar hyd y nos. O mor siriol gwena seren Ar hyd y nos, I oleuo'i chwaer ddaearen Ar hyd y nos, Nos yw henaint pan ddaw cystudd, Ond i harddu dyn a'i hwyrddydd Rhown ein golau gwan i'n gilydd Ar hyd y nos. Sleep my love, and peace attend thee All through the night; Guardian angels God will lend thee, All through the night, Soft the drowsy hours are creeping, Hill and vale in slumber sleeping, I my loving vigil keeping, All through the night. While the moon her watch is keeping All through the night; While the weary world is sleeping All through the night; O'er thy spirit gently stealing, Visions of delight revealing, Breathes a pure and holy feeling, All through the night. Cwm Rhondda [Top] Cwm Rhondda is one of the "classics" of the Welsh hymn tradition. The tune is by John Hughes, Dowlais (1873 - 1932). The words are by one of Wales' most prolific hymn writers, William Williams Pantycelyn (1717 - 1791). Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land I am weak, but Thou art mighty; Hold me with Thy powerful hand. Bread of heaven, bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more Feed me till I want no more Open now the crystal fountain, Whence the healing stream doth flow; Let the fire and cloudy pillar Lead me all my journey through. Strong deliverer, strong deliverer, Be Thou still my strength and shield Be Thou still my strength and shield When I tread the verge of Jordan, Bid my anxious fears subside; Death of death and hell's destruction, Land me safe on Canaan's side. Songs of praises, songs of praises, I will ever give to Thee I will ever give to Thee Calon Lân [Top] Calon Lân is a hymn well loved by children and adults alike. The tune is by John Hughes (1872 - 1914). The words are by Daniel James (1847 - 1920), better known by his bardic name of "Gwyrosydd". It is difficult to translate the Welsh word "glan" into English. At it's simplest, it means "clean". However, it is used in hymns and prayers with a sense of "holy" (c.f., "Yr Ysbryd Glan" - "The Holy Spirit") or "pure". Either sense fits this lovely hymn. Nid wy'n gofyn bywyd moethus, Aur y byd na'i berlau m’n, Gofyn wyf am galon hapus, Calon onest, calon l’n Cytgan: Calon l’n yn llawn daioni, Tecach yw na'r lili dlos, Does ond calon l’n all ganu Canu'r dydd a chanu'r nos. Pe dymunwn olud bydol, Chwim adenydd iddo sydd: Golud calon l’n rinweddol Yn dwyn bythol elw fydd. Cytgan: Hwyr a bore fy nymuniad Esgyn ar adenydd c’n Ar i Dduw, er mwyn fy Ngheidwad, Roddi imi galon l’n. Cytgan: I seek not ease and riches Early riches, pearls or gold Give to me a heart made happy Clean and honest to unfold Chorus: A clean heart o'erflowed with goodness Fairer than the lily bright A clean heart forever singing Singing through the day and night If I cherish earthly treasures Swift they flee and all is vain A clean heart enriched with virtues Brings to me eternal gain Chorus: Morn and evening my petition Wings it flight to heaven in song In the name of my Redeemer Make my heart clean, pure and strong Chorus: Ar Lan y Mor (by the Seashore) [Top] Ar lan y môr mae rhosys chochion Ar lan y môr mae lilis gwynion Ar lan y môr mae 'nghariad inne Yn cysgu'r nos a choddi'r bore. Ar lan y môr mae carreg wastad Lle bum yn siarad gair âm cariad Oddeutu hon fe dyf y lili Ac ambell sbrigyn o rosmari. Llawn yw'r môr o swnd a chegryn Llawn yw'r wy o wyn a melyn Llawn yw'r coed o ddail a blode Llawn o gariad merch wyf inne. By the seashore there are red roses By the seashore there're lovely lillies By the seashore my sweetheart lives She sleeps the night, and wakes the morning. Cold is the frost and cold the snowfall Cold the house without fire in winter Cold is the church without a vicar Cold am I also without my lover. Yonder's the home, yonder the building Where I've spent many a happy evening In the loft there above the kitchen With the girl with the yellow ribbon.