swb@lasspvax.UUCP (Scott Brim) (01/05/86)
I have an English translation of a Welsh song -- it's all translated,
that is, except the refrain. There's a note saying it has "many
possible translations". Could someone give me an idea of what the
words might mean? Even a word-by-word list of possibilities would be
greatly appreciated. Here's the first verse (the line in question is
the last one). Thanks, very much. --Scott Brim
Now strike the harp gladly, let music resound,
To cheer all the true hearts here gather'd around,
No word of contention shall sully our joy.
No thought of dull care our contentment destroy.
Here patriots may loudly rejoice to be free,
And Cambrians to Cambria vow faithful to be,
Mewn Awen fwyn lawen byw byth y bo hi.
--
Scott Brim swb@devvax.tn.cornell.edu
Cornell University Theory Center {decvax,ihnp4,cmcl2,vax135}!cornell!swb
607-256-8686 swb@cornella.bitnettina@stc.UUCP (Tina Coulson) (01/22/86)
> Now strike the harp gladly, let music resound, > To cheer all the true hearts here gather'd around, > No word of contention shall sully our joy. > No thought of dull care our contentment destroy. > Here patriots may loudly rejoice to be free, > And Cambrians to Cambria vow faithful to be, > Mewn Awen fwyn lawen byw byth y bo hi. > -- > Scott Brim swb@devvax.tn.cornell.edu I have a translation of the last line done by a friend who is Welsh. He says that it looks as if it came from North (he is from the south - its a slightly different dialect there). But he has done as much as he can. Mewn Awen fwyn lawen byw byth y bo hi. = = ==== == = = ======= In ?? I am joyful live ever the ? ? 'live within her' 'live with her' The last phrase is a difficult one to explain in english it is very nationalistic and sort of says 'this is the place for me' Awen is probably a name but he cant be sure. Thats the easy bit done. Now to dissapoint you. We found the song in a book of Welsh songs dating back to about the 1930's and though the welsh was all there there was an English version (NOT translation) printed alongside. Neither the English version nor the Welsh had the same meaning as your 'translation'. We are guessing but think that your words too are an English version written to fit to the music. They also rhyme !! Which a true translation probably would not. I have a photo-copy of the song on its way to me and could get a translation of all of it done if you would like it. Now just to give you a little more information- I cant remember the name exactly but was somthing to do with a minstrel. The Welsh words were by Ceiriog. -- Tina Coulson. (tina@stc) {root44,ukc,datlog,idec,stl,creed,iclbra,iclkid}!stc!tina [ When a ball sleeps it dreams its a disc ]