Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (translated in English as ‘Land of my Fathers’) is Wales’ National anthem. It was written in 1856 by Evan James and his son, James James, from Pontypridd in Glamorgan. It is traditionally sung before national sporting events.
Lyrics
Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,
Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;
Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mâd,
Tros ryddid gollasant eu gwaed.
Gwlad, Gwlad, pleidiol wyf i’m gwlad.
Tra môr yn fur i’r bur hoff bau,
O bydded i’r hen iaith barhau.
Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;
Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mâd,
Tros ryddid gollasant eu gwaed.
Gwlad, Gwlad, pleidiol wyf i’m gwlad.
Tra môr yn fur i’r bur hoff bau,
O bydded i’r hen iaith barhau.
Phonetically
My hen oo-lad vurr n’had-die un ann-wil ee mee
goo-lard bay-rdd* a ch**ann-tor-eon
enn wog eon o vree
ane goo-rol ruvv-el-weir
goo-lard gar-weir tra mard
dross rudd*-id cor-ll***ar-sant ay goo-eyed.
Goo-lard, goo-lard
played-eeyol weave eem goo-lard
tra more un beer, ear beer horff bye
O budd*-ed eer hen ee-eye-th bar hi.
goo-lard bay-rdd* a ch**ann-tor-eon
enn wog eon o vree
ane goo-rol ruvv-el-weir
goo-lard gar-weir tra mard
dross rudd*-id cor-ll***ar-sant ay goo-eyed.
Goo-lard, goo-lard
played-eeyol weave eem goo-lard
tra more un beer, ear beer horff bye
O budd*-ed eer hen ee-eye-th bar hi.
*There are two “th” sounds in Welsh.”Th” in Welsh
is pronounced as in “think” or “fourth”.
“Dd” is pronounced as in “this” or “that”.
** “ch” is pronounced as in “loch” or “Bach”.
*** “ll” is a cross between an “l” and an “s”.
English Translation - Land of My Fathers
The ancient land of my fathers is dear to me,A land of poets and minstrels, famed men,
Her brave warriors, patriot much blessed,
It was for freedom that they lost their blood
Chorus
Homeland! I am devoted to my country;So long as the sea is a wall to this fair beautiful land
May the ancient language remain.
Find out more:
- BBC Wales
Lyrics courtesy of BBC Wales - Welsh Language Board website
Listen to the Welsh National Anthem on the Welsh Language Board website.