My grandmother was a fiercely patriotic lady from the South Wales valleys, and she instilled in me a great sense of pride in my heritage, and a love for and interest in Celtic culture and history. I would be doing less than my patriotic duty if I failed to include the Welsh national anthem in my collection of poetry and prose. You’ll find the words – in both Welsh and English – below the video. Yes, I can sing it. No, you don’t want to hear me try.
Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,
Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;
Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwlad garwyr tra mâd,
Tros ryddid gollasant eu gwaed.
Gwlad, Gwlad, pleidiol wyf im gwlad
Tra môr 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.
Gwlad, Gwlad, pleidiol wyf im gwlad
Tra môr yn fur, i’r bur hoff bau,
O bydded i’r heniaith barhau.
Os treisiodd y gelyn fy ngwlad tan ei droed,
Mae hen iaith y Cymry mor fyw ag erioed,
Ni luddiwyd yr awen gan erchyll law brad,
Na thelyn berseiniol fy ngwlad.
Gwlad, Gwlad, pleidiol wyf im gwlad
Tra môr yn fur, i’r bur hoff bau,
O bydded i’r heniaith barhau.
by Evan James
English Version
O land of my fathers, the land of the free,
Of poets and singers, so soothing to me,
Thy noble defenders were gallant and brave,
For freedom their heart’s life they gave.
Wales! Wales! Home sweet home is Wales.
Till death be passed, my love shall last,
My longing, my yearning for Wales.
Thou haven of bards and birthplace of song,
The sons of thy mountains are valiant and strong,
The voice of thy streamlets is soft to the ear,
Thy hills and thy valleys, how dear!
Wales! Wales! Home sweet home is Wales.
Till death be passed, my love shall last,
My longing, my yearning for Wales.
Tho’ slighted and scorned by the proud and the strong,
The language of Cambria still charms us in song,
The Muse survives, nor have envious tales,
Yet silenced the harps of dear Wales.
Wales! Wales! Home sweet home is Wales.
Till death be passed, my love shall last,
My longing, my yearning for Wales.
Literal translation:
The old land of my fathers is dear to me,
Land of poets and singers, famous men of renown;
Her brave warriors, very splendid patriots,
For freedom shed their blood.
Nation, Nation, I pledge to my Nation.
While the sea is a wall to the pure, most loved land,
O may the old language endure.
Old mountainous Wales, paradise of the bard,
Every valley, every cliff, to me is beautiful.
Through patriotic feeling, so charming is the murmur
Of her brooks, rivers, to me.
Nation, Nation, I pledge to my Nation.
While the sea is a wall to the pure, most loved land,
O may the old language endure.
If the enemy oppresses my land under his foot,
The old language of the Welsh is as alive as ever.
The muse is not hindered by the hideous hand of treason,
Nor is the melodious harp of my country.
Nation, Nation, I pledge to my Nation.
While the sea is a wall to the pure, most loved land,
O may the old language endure.