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    What it's like being Welsh...

    Just couldn't resist posting this because this sort of thing - an impromptu and beautiful song - really does happen here. We have the Singing Bus (the 120 Caerphilly to Blaencwm usually) and people just sing in the pubs when the fancy takes them. And this song is just gorgeous, a really traditional Welsh Song. Plus I like the way people join in with him towards the end.

    It's a video that in many ways sums up what it means to be Welsh. Where else would a pub or club fall silent and impeccably observe a rendition of a moving Welsh song?


    (And apologies in advance for the unavoidable trailer!)
    www.thewolfenhowlepress.com


    Phantom Turnips never die.... they just get stewed occasionally....

    #2
    Re: What it's like being Welsh...

    I loved it. I am only Welsh by some well diluted blood, but really, this is a thing I could see happening here in the Midwest, just a different song, probably about the Green Bay Packers or something.

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      #3
      Re: What it's like being Welsh...

      So - let us sing:

      Although the song is always sung in Welsh, the English translation is equally evocative of the passion felt by the Jameses.

      Please note: the following, while a literal translation, unfortunately doesn't rhyme or scan with the music. Since the song is nearly always performed in Welsh, this is presented to give an idea of the sentiment behind the song.

      This land of my fathers is dear to me
      Land of poets and singers, and people of stature
      Her brave warriors, fine patriots
      Shed their blood for freedom

      Chorus:
      Land! Land! I am true to my land!
      As long as the sea serves as a wall for this pure, dear land
      May the language endure for ever.

      Old land of the mountains, paradise of the poets,
      Every valley, every cliff a beauty guards;
      Through love of my country, enchanting voices will be
      Her streams and rivers to me.

      Chorus

      Though the enemy have trampled my country underfoot,
      The old language of the Welsh knows no retreat,
      The spirit is not hindered by the treacherous hand
      Nor silenced the sweet harp of my land.

      Chorus


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        #4
        Re: What it's like being Welsh...

        Originally posted by Larix View Post
        And back in the days, when the national anthem (for that's what this is) was sung at school prize giving days, it was possible (when singing in Welsh) to cause mayhem by singing the Welsh (which is: Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,
        Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;
        Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mad,
        Dros ryddid collasant eu gwaed)

        as:
        My hen laid a haddock we had it for tea
        My uncles, my aunties my mother and me...

        Done skillfully it just caused everyone nearby to start having hysterics.
        Happy days!
        www.thewolfenhowlepress.com


        Phantom Turnips never die.... they just get stewed occasionally....

        Comment


          #5
          Re: What it's like being Welsh...

          So - let's have the full text:



          Copied from there: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hen_Wlad_Fy_Nhadau

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            #6
            Re: What it's like being Welsh...

            I'm half Welsh from my dad, but him being such an insufferable cunt, I'm not in contact with any of that side of my family and not connected to my ancestry (Welsh or English to be honest).
            I've only been down by there a couple of times when I was a kid, but I'd like to have an extended stay eventually. Maybe live there for a few years.

            Anyway, on-topic, pretty song well sang. Touching.
            Yikes, all that cultural appropriation that used to be here tho

            Comment


              #7
              Re: What it's like being Welsh...

              And here is the hymn for Britanny:




              Taken from http://lyricstranslate.com/de/Nolwen...#ixzz3CKLp0YS4

              As the Breton language is closelx related to the Welsh language, I wonder whether the Welsh speaking members here can understand it?

              Comment


                #8
                Re: What it's like being Welsh...

                Both Breton and Cornish are closely related to Welsh, though not being thoroughly Welsh speaking myself, I can't comment on the Breton lyrics. A quick look though, suggests a similar rhythm for the Breton anthem. I wonder what the melody is?
                www.thewolfenhowlepress.com


                Phantom Turnips never die.... they just get stewed occasionally....

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: What it's like being Welsh...

                  Originally posted by Tylluan Penry View Post
                  I wonder what the melody is?
                  Exactly the same as the melody of the Welsh anthem!

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                    #10
                    Re: What it's like being Welsh...

                    And here's another glimpse of Wales... from a very English comedian Michael McIntyre. The show was in Swansea (Wales) and it's only a short clip, worth a look!
                    www.thewolfenhowlepress.com


                    Phantom Turnips never die.... they just get stewed occasionally....

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: What it's like being Welsh...

                      Originally posted by Tylluan Penry View Post
                      And here's another glimpse of Wales... from a very English comedian Michael McIntyre. The show was in Swansea (Wales) and it's only a short clip, worth a look!
                      http://youtu.be/XuUYFEyFlxg
                      Just about made it through that. I can't stand Michael McIntyre.

                      I'm starting to think, from all this musical evidence, that the Welsh are a complex hivemind, like bees or ants...
                      Yikes, all that cultural appropriation that used to be here tho

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