Welsh Music, Welsh Music

[MacEoghainn]

Here are the lyrics to a Welsh Lullaby. Charlotte Church has a version on one of her early albums.

Sou-Gan

Clyd a chynnes ydyw hon
Breichiau mam sy'n dyn amdanat
Cariad mam sy dan fy mron
Ni chaiff dim amharu'th gyntun
Ni wna undyn a thi gam
Huna'n dawel, annwyl bientyn
Huna'n fwyn ar fron dy fam

Huna'n dawel hana huna
Huna'n fwyn y del ei lun
Pam yr wyt yn awr y gwenu
Gwenu'n dirion yn dy hun
Ai angylion fry sy'n gwenu
Arnat yno'n gwenu'n llon
Titha'u'n gwenu'n ol a huno
Huno'n dawel ar fy mron

Paid ag ofni, dim ond deilen
Gura, gura ar y ddor
Paid ag ofni ton fach unig
Sua, sua ar lan y mor
Huna blentyn nid oes yma
Ddim i roddi ti fraw
Gwen'n dawel ar fy mynwes
Ar yr engyl gwynion draw


To my lullaby surrender,
Warm and tender is my breast;
Mother?s arms with love caressing
Lay their blessing on your rest;
Nothing shall tonight alarm you,
None shall harm you, have no fear;
Lie contented, calmly slumber
On your mother?s breast my dear.

Here tonight I tightly hold you
And enfold you while you sleep,
Why, I wonder, are you smiling
Smiling in your slumber deep?
Are the angels on you smiling
And beguiling you with charm,
While you also smile, my blossom,
In my bosom soft and warm?

Have no fear now, leaves are knocking,
Gently knocking at our door;
Have no fear now, waves are beating,
Gently beating on the shore.
Sleep, my darling, none shall harm you
Nor alarm you, never
And beguiling those on high.

[susieq76]

Sorry I haven't been able to get on in awhile! CR's posts aren't coming through my email and notifying me of new replies or topics, and what with exams, my office moving and trying to start school at Meredith, I am going crazy!!! I will try to be on more!

[gwenynen]

Susanna,

I was wondering how you were doing. I'm glad to see you post. Hope things will go well for you. Hwyl.

[Siarls]

I love "Elin Fflur a'r Cysgodion" (Elin Fflur and the Shadows). Good Welsh music.
Ar log is supposed to be a good Welsh band.
You should tune into BBC Radio Cymru on www.bbc.co.uk/cymru
Good music especially on the shows C2 and Owain a Dylan. There's even a Welsh version of Robbie Williams/Nicole Kindman's "Somethin' Stupid". I'm not sure who did it or what it's called, I switched on half way through the song, but it's really good. If you come across it, let me know how I can get ahold of it!

[gwenynen]

There is a song, "Collu Iaith" in "Cysgodion." The other day, I heard the same titled song by Heather Jones on Radio Acen. Do they happen to sing the same song, or is Acen mistaken?

I love Welsh music but the trouble is most of the CDs don't seem to come with written words. I can pick up words here and there but not all of them. I want to sing them myself but can't! That's why I'm hesitating to buy more CDs for fear that my frustrations will increase. I know two CDs that include words according to reviews, so I'll be ordering them in near future.

[Siarls]

I've never heard of Heather Jones, but isn't Acen for learners? Maybe she's changed the words a bit for easier listening? I'll look it up.

BBC Radio Cymru has played Colli Iaith and announced that it is Elin Fflur a'r Cysgodion. Their CD, which I think is just called Cysgodion comes with words.

[gwenynen]

I just got one of Plethyn's CDs, "Blas y Pridd/Golau Tan Gwmwl." I love the trio's close harmony though most of the songs are in the similar style and may not be as exciting as other singers. The great thing about this CD is it comes with the Welsh lyrics and English translation.

I've learned a lesson in the hard way. I won't buy any more Welsh CDs if they don't have written lyrics no matter how wonderful the singers or songs are. I already have too many of such CDs including my favorite Y Brodyr Gregory.

Next CD I have set my mind on buying in the future is Mabsant. By the way, Sain has low prices for CDs and postage. International air postage is only £1. It's cheaper then the domestic charge by US companies.

[gwenynen]

One of the songs in the said CD is a protest song against England's flooding a Welsh valley to get water for Liverpool. Judging from the melody and the style, if you didn't know Welsh, you'd think it's a nice traditional folk song. It can be done in Welsh but not in English, I don't think. The language has to have music in its vein.

[Siarls]

I have the Best Christmas Album in the World Ever CD and have you noticed the significant contribution to Christmas songs by the Welsh?

Song 16 of CD2

[Siarls]

I have the Best Christmas Album in the World Ever CD and have you noticed the significant contribution to Christmas songs by the Welsh?

Song 16 of CD2 ("Deck the Halls") is sung by the Treorchy, Morriston and Pontarddulais Male voice choirs --
I was born in Morriston (Treforys yn Gymraeg)
I live within walking distance of Pontarddulais and have many friends there
And I have one friend from Treorchy.

[gwenynen]

I'm sure they can't help it as music is in their blood and poetry is in their soul. What about you? Do you sing in a choir?

[Siarls]

HAHA! I can't sing. Actually, it's not funny because it really depresses me. I'm in the minority here and cannot achieve a note to save my own life! That's why I tend to mime the National Anthem and just nod my head to music. My singing voice is so offensive that I disgrace the National Anthem and wouldn't dare dishonour it!

It's strange though because many people have asked me if I'm singing when I'm speaking Welsh... so maybe it's confidence or something. Maybe I need lessons. I would absolutely love to sing, but I wouldn't sing in a choir.

I do however dabble in poetry and rhyming... I have a lot of good ideas for Welsh music. I need someone talented enough and patient enough to work with me to bring out my visions. I would love to see a Welsh music channel - boy wouldn't that be good PR for the Welsh language?!!

[gwenynen]

It would indeed! You can write lyrics and let Welsh singers sing them.

I did notice when I was listening to Te yn y Grug, some characters would 'sing' their dialogs. I wish we could hear you speak Welsh!

[Siarls]

I'll try and record me and some of my friends or something!

[gwenynen]

Yeeeeeeeei!!!!!! DIOLCH, SIARLS!!!!!