Words and Verse
The Welsh Tongue
I'r Iaith Gymraeg
To The Welsh Language
Gwlad, Gwlad,
Pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad
Tra mor yn fur
I'r bur hoff bau
O bydded i'r heniaith barhau
- Hen wlad fy nhadau, Welsh National Anthem
Dedication: I'r Gymry a Chymraesau sy'n dal i siarad Cymraeg.
The land of Wales not once was conquered o'er
But twice, the first in Roman days of yore:
Old Wales fell down beneath the Roman boot
That silenced Welshman's mouth and Welshman's flute.
But through it, to their tongue the Welsh stayed true
And never lost the mamiaith that they knew.
And Bodiccea spoke this very tongue
(Much better spoken than the Latin sung)
This language which to her her parents taught
She spoke more nobly than her soldiers fought.
She who cared not for Rome, nor Ceasar's God
Died, and tros rhyddid collasoedd ei gwad.*
At last the Romans left to guard their Rome
And soon again the Welshmen felt at home.
No words but all their own did these men know
For Roman boot crushed not their tongue below.
Then time did pass and Wales soon fell again
Not 'neath old Rome, but 'neath the Saxon reign.
These Saenseg** Saxons moored upon the beach
And on the Welsh they forced the Saxon speech.
Though neither Saxons, nor Germanic Gair***
Could ever douse the Celtic tongues of fire.
But time passed o'er, and as it withered on
From many men their mother tongue was gone.
New English words the Welsh took as their own
And added them to Welsh that they had known.
But still today, though Saxon songs are sung
And Sons of Wales must learn the Saxon tongue.
The speech of Cymru**** cannot be destroyed
And of this speech shall Earth be ne'er devoid.
For still are words of love said in this tongue,
Its tales still read, its epic songs still sung.
*For freedom gave her lifeblood
**English
***Word
****Wales
To The Welsh Language
Gwlad, Gwlad,
Pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad
Tra mor yn fur
I'r bur hoff bau
O bydded i'r heniaith barhau
- Hen wlad fy nhadau, Welsh National Anthem
Dedication: I'r Gymry a Chymraesau sy'n dal i siarad Cymraeg.
The land of Wales not once was conquered o'er
But twice, the first in Roman days of yore:
Old Wales fell down beneath the Roman boot
That silenced Welshman's mouth and Welshman's flute.
But through it, to their tongue the Welsh stayed true
And never lost the mamiaith that they knew.
And Bodiccea spoke this very tongue
(Much better spoken than the Latin sung)
This language which to her her parents taught
She spoke more nobly than her soldiers fought.
She who cared not for Rome, nor Ceasar's God
Died, and tros rhyddid collasoedd ei gwad.*
At last the Romans left to guard their Rome
And soon again the Welshmen felt at home.
No words but all their own did these men know
For Roman boot crushed not their tongue below.
Then time did pass and Wales soon fell again
Not 'neath old Rome, but 'neath the Saxon reign.
These Saenseg** Saxons moored upon the beach
And on the Welsh they forced the Saxon speech.
Though neither Saxons, nor Germanic Gair***
Could ever douse the Celtic tongues of fire.
But time passed o'er, and as it withered on
From many men their mother tongue was gone.
New English words the Welsh took as their own
And added them to Welsh that they had known.
But still today, though Saxon songs are sung
And Sons of Wales must learn the Saxon tongue.
The speech of Cymru**** cannot be destroyed
And of this speech shall Earth be ne'er devoid.
For still are words of love said in this tongue,
Its tales still read, its epic songs still sung.
*For freedom gave her lifeblood
**English
***Word
****Wales
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The Welsh Tongue
The Welsh Tongue
