We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.
/

  • Streaming + Download

    Purchasable with gift card

     

about

Many believe that the haunting tune of Myfanwy is possibly one of the greatest tunes ever written. The Myfanwy lyrics tell the tragic story of the unfulfilled love of a poor young poet for a beautiful young noblewoman who lived in Dinas Bran castle. The remains of Castell Dinas Bran stand above the Welsh town of Llangollen and is the scene setting for the sad love story of Myfanwy. Myfanwy was the daughter of the Norman Earl of Arundel and was, according to sources at that time, the most beautiful woman in Powys.

Myfanwy, the melody, was written and composed by Joseph Parry (1841 – 1903), with the lyrics written by Richard Davies (1833 – 1877) - it was first published in 1875. Maybe there was a real Myfanwy in Parry's life, a girl by the name of Myfanwy Llwyellyn. Like Parry himself, she too emigrated to America. According to the legend, they met some 30 years later but for whatever reason, Myfanwy Llwyellyn snubbed the Welsh composer and he then composed his famous tune full of unfulfilled love.

Whatever the legend, the story or the history of the song, Myfanwy remains one of Wales’ most famous songs. This is our simple interpretation of this famous Welsh love song.

Historical Details: www.felinfach.com/blogs/blog/myfanwy-words-and-meaning

lyrics

Paham mae dicter, O Myfanwy,
Yn llenwi'th lygaid duon di?
Why so the anger, Oh Myfanwy,
That fill your dark eyes

A'th ruddiau tirion, O Myfanwy,
Heb wrido wrth fy ngweled i?
Your gentle cheeks, Oh Myfanwy,
No longer blush beholding me?

Pa le mae'r wên oedd ar dy wefus
Fu'n cynnau 'nghariad ffyddlon ffôl?
Where now the smile upon your lips
That lit my foolish faithful love?

Pa le mae sain dy eiriau melys,
Fu'n denu'n nghalon ar dy ôl?
Where now the sound of your sweet words,
That drew my heart to follow you?


Pa beth a wneuthum, O Myfanwy
I haeddu gwg dy ddwyrudd hardd?
What was it that I did, Oh Myfanwy,
To deserve the frown of your beautiful cheeks?

Ai chwarae oeddit, O Myfanwy
 thanau euraidd serch dy fardd?
Was it a game for you, Oh Myfanwy,
This poet's golden flame of love?

Wyt eiddo im drwy gywir amod
Ai gormod cadw'th air i mi?
Do you belong to me, through true promise,
Is it too much to keep your word to me?

Ni cheisiaf fyth mo'th law, Myfanwy,
Heb gael dy galon gyda hi.
I'll never seek your hand, Myfanwy,
Unless I have your heart with it.

Myfanwy boed yr holl o'th fywyd
Dan heulwen ddisglair canol dydd.
Myfanwy, may your life entirely be
Beneath the midday sun's bright glow,

A boed i rosyn gwridog iechyd
I ddawnsio ganmlwydd ar dy rudd.
And may a blushing rose of health
Dance on your cheek a hundred years.

Anghofia'r oll o'th addewidion
A wneist i rywun, 'ngeneth ddel,
Forget all your words of promise
That you made to someone, my pretty girl

A dyro'th law, Myfanwy dirion
I ddim ond dweud y gair "Ffarwél".
So give me your hand, my sweet Myfanwy,
For no more but to say "farewell".

credits

released May 1, 2020
Vocal: Phil Rowe
Guitar: Peter Charlton
Melody and Music: Joseph Parry
Lyrics: Richard Davies
Arrangement: Phil Rowe and Peter Charlton

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Phil Rowe & The Eclectic Dabblers image

Phil Rowe & The Eclectic Dabblers Swansea, UK

Phil Rowe & The Eclectic Dabblers is a recording project formed when Phil was contacted by Peter Charlton via Facebook with an offer of teaming up to record some new material and also re-record and re-think each others recordings. The pair were joined in this task by Stephen Williams on drums and Gareth Jones on bass. ... more

contact / help

Contact Phil Rowe & The Eclectic Dabblers

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like Phil Rowe & The Eclectic Dabblers, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring Riley Pinkerton (aka The Rat Queen) from the theatrical NYC rockers, Castle Rat.
listen now