Hwb I'R Galon

Welsh General / Questions
#1

Hello!

I’m from Argentina, I’m a descendant of Welsh immigrants that came here in 1865.

I wasn’t able to learn Welsh yet but this might be a good opportunity.

I want to ask Welsh speakers a favour: My grandmother had a vinyl record of a welsh choir and this song, Hwb I’R Galon, always caught my attention.
However she already lost the language being third generation here in Argentina and I never found the lyrics. Could someone write them down for me?

Many thanks in advance!

P.d.: Here is a link to the song:

#2

Maybe someone already knows the song and has the music and lyrics. I’m afraid I couldn’t make out the words on that recording, but here’s another with solo voice which makes it easier to hear what is being sung.

The music and lyrics can be found here for sale if that helps. Hwb i’r Galon music and lyrics

#3

Ah! Here are the Welsh lyrics. I’m going out in a few minutes, but I’m sure we can manage a translation between us.

Hwb i’r Galon lyrics

#4

Here’s my attempt at a translation of the first verse.

What is making me downhearted, (literally: To what thing will I be downhearted)
Why will I be downhearted,
What is making me downhearted,
And turning joy aside?
While living young and cheerful,
Young and cheerful,
I’ll cheer up again.

Chorus:
Ton ton ton, dyri ton ton ton,
Dyri ton ton ton, dyri ton ton ton,
Ton ton ton, dyri ton ton ton,
Dyri ton ton ton, dyri ton ton

#5

Hello Margaret,

Thank you so much!!

Your translation looks very good.

Here is a translation using an online tool… Some lines look a bit off though:

Here’s the translation of the entire lyrics:

  1. For what shall I be sorrowful,
    Why shall I be sorrowful;
    For what shall I be sorrowful
    And let joy pass by?
    While I am young and merry,
    While I am young and merry,
    While I am young and merry,
    I’ll give a boost to the heart again.

Chorus:
Ton ton ton, give a boost ton ton ton,
Give a boost ton ton ton, give a boost ton ton ton,
Ton ton ton, give a boost ton ton ton,
Give a boost ton ton ton, give a boost ton ton.

  1. A boost to the heart will come,
    True and sure it will come,
    A boost to the heart will come,
    Some won’t see enough;
    Not worth a pound nor a full purse,
    Nor ever, nor a full purse,
    Not worth a pound nor a full purse,
    If one can be content.

Chorus

  1. A boost to the gentle youth’s heart,
    Boost upon boost of gentle youth,
    A boost to the gentle youth’s heart,
    Though love and charm may disappoint;
    If one turns their back
    True, if one tries their back,
    If one turns their back,
    The cuckoo will sing again.

Chorus

  1. A boost to the faithful, pure heart,
    Yet a boost to the faithful, pure,
    A boost to the faithful, pure heart,
    I won’t be led by emotion;
    There are more fish in the sea,
    Is it true, swimming in the sea,
    There are more fish in the sea,
    Than Sior caught with his talk.
#6

That translation looks better than the one Google translate was offering. The Welsh is rather old fashioned and of course it’s always best not to translate literally, but that gives a good idea of what the song is about.

#7

I’ve a feeling that some/all of the “Le” in the words are transcription errors for “Ie” ie “yea, indeed”.

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