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(Wales) Men of Harlech (Read 12526 times)
19.06.2006 at 13:42:01

Jan   Offline
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"Men of Harlech" is a popular Welsh song and military march, which is sometimes mistaken for the national anthem of Wales. It is often used as the regimental march of regiments historically associated with Wales, and can often be heard during military parades in the UK. There are numerous text versions both in Welsh and in English, but none of them has offical status.


Welsh lyrics by Talhaiarn (John Jones)

1. Henffych well, i wlad fy nghalon,
Llwyddiant i ti Cymru dirion;
Bendith i dy feibion dewrion,
A dy ferched glân;
Peraidd yw dy hynod hanes,
I wresogi serch fy mynwes;
Tra bo 'ngwaed yn llifo'n gynnes,
Caraf wlad y gan.
Anwyl-wlad fy nhadau,
Caraf dy fynyddau;
Creigiau gleision uwch y nant
Ymwelant a'r cymylau,
Dolydd a dyffrynoedd ffrwythlon,
Ffrydiau clir a llynau llawnion,
Adlewyrchant flodau tlysion
Yn ei dyfroedd glân:
Hiraeth sydd i'm llethu,
Am anwylion Cymru,
Ow! na chawn fy mhwrs yn llawn,
A chred a dawn i'm denu,
Adre'n ol i blith fy nheulu,
A chyfeillion i'm croesawu:
Yn olynawl gwnawn foliannu
Cymru, gwlad y gân.

2. Mil melusach i fy nghalon,
Na mwynderau gwlad y Saeson,
Cig a gwin, a da a digon,
Ydyw gwlad y gân:
Nid oes modd i 'ngwên lawenu,
Tra bo 'fenaid yn hiraethu
Am fynyddoedd cribog Cymru,
A'i dyffrynoedd glân;
Nid y llawn heolydd,
Mwg a thwrf y trefydd;
Nid y byd a'i olud drud,
Sy'n denu bryd y prydydd;
Ond afonydd, gwyrddion ddolydd,
Swn yr awel yn y coedydd,
Cymau, glynau, bryniau bronydd,
Cymru, gwlad y gân.
Cara'r oen y ddafad,
Cara mun ei chariad,
Cara'r cybydd bwrs yn llawn,
A dyn a dawn ei dyniad;
Cara'r babi fron ei fami,
Caraf finau'r wlad wy'n foli,
Duw a wyr mor anwyl i mi
Ydyw Cymru lân.


English lyrics by W.H. Baker, based on the Talhaiarn version

1. Glyndwr, see thy comet flaming,
Hear a heavenly voice declaiming,
To the world below proclaiming,
Cambria shall be free:
While thy star on high is beaming,
Soldiers from the mountains teeming,
With their spears and lances gleaming,
Come to follow thee.
Hear the trumpet sounding
While the steeds are bounding,
On the gale from hill and dale,
The war-cry is resounding:
Warriors famed in song and story,
Coming from the mountains hoary,
Rushing to the fields of glory,
Eager for the fray:
To the valley wending,
Hearths and homes defending,
With their proud and valiant prince,
From ancient kings descending;
See the mighty host advancing,
Sunbeams on their helmets dancing,
On his gallant charger prancing,
Glyndwr leads the way.

2. Now to battle they are going,
Every heart with courage glowing,
Pride and passion overflowing
In the furious strife:
Lo! the din of war enrages,
Vengeance crowns the hate of ages,
Sternly foe with foe engages,
Feeding Death with Life:
Hear the trumpets braying,
And the horses neighing,
Hot the strife while fiery foes
Are one another slaying;
Arrows fly as swift as lightning,
Shout on shout the tumult height'ning,
Conquest's ruddy wing is bright'ning,
Helmet, sword, and shield;
With their lances flashing,
Warriors wild are crashing,
Through the tyrant's serried ranks
Whilst onward they are dashing:
Now the enemy is flying,
Trampling on the dead and dying;
Victory aloft is crying,
"Cambria wins the field!"


Welsh lyrics by Ceiriog Hughes

1. Wele goelcerth wen yn fflamio,
A thafodau tân yn bloeddio,
Ar i'r dewrion ddod i daro,
"Unwaith eto'n un":
Gan fanllefau tywysogion,
Llais gelynion, trwst arfogion,
A charlamiad y marchogion,
Craig ar graig a gryn!
Arfon byth ni orfydd,
Cenir yn dragywydd;
Cymru fydd fel Cymru fu,
Yn glodus yn mysg gwledydd.
Yng ngwyn oleuni'r goelcerth acw,
Tros wefusau Cymro'n marw,
Annibyniaeth sydd yn galw,
Am ei dewraf dyn.

2. Ni chaiff gelyn ladd ac ymlid
Harlech! Harlech! cwyd iw herlid;
Y mae Rhoddwr mawr ein Rhyddid,
Yn rhoi nerth i ni.
Wele Gymru a'i byddinoedd,
Yn ymdywallt o'r mynyddoedd!
Rhuthrant fel rhaiadrau dyfroedd,
Llamant fel y lli!
Llwyddiant i'n lluyddion!
Rwystro bâr yr estron!
Gwybod yn ei galon gaiff,
Fel bratha cleddyf Brython;
Y clêdd yn erbyn clêdd a chwery,
Dûr yn erbyn dûr a dery,
Wele fâner Gwalia'i fyny,
"Rhyddid aiff a hi!"


English lyrics by John Oxenford:

1. Men of Harlech, march to glory,
Victory is hov'ring o'er ye,
Bright-eyed freedom stands before ye,
Hear ye not her call?
At your sloth she seems to wonder;
Rend the sluggish bonds asunder,
Let the war-cry's deaf'ning thunder
Every foe appal.
Echoes loudly waking,
Hill and valley shaking;
'Till the sound spreads wide around,
The Saxon's courage breaking;
Your foes on every side assailing,
Forward press with heart unfailing,
'Till invaders learn with quailing,
Cambria ne'er can yield!

2. Thou, who noble Cambria wrongest,
Know that freedom's cause is strongest,
Freedom's courage lasts the longest,
Ending but with death!
Freedom countless hosts can scatter,
Freedom stoutest mail can shatter,
Freedom thickest walls can batter,
Fate is in her breath.
See, they now are flying!
Dead are heap'd with dying!
Over might hath triumph'd right,
Our land to foes denying;
Upon their soil we never sought them,
Love of conquest hither brought them,
But this lesson we have taught them,
"Cambria ne'er can yield!"


English version by George Thompson (~1800 AD)

1. Dauntless sons of Celtic sires
Whose souls the love of freedom fires,
Hark! ev'ry harp to war inspires
On Cader Idris side.
See the brave advancing,
See the brave advancing,
Each well-tried spear
Which Saxons fear,
In warlike splendour glancing.
Proud Harlech from her frowning tow'rs
Pours forth her never failing pow'rs.
Rouse, heroes, glory shall be ours,
March on, your country's pride!

2. Shall heart-rending sound of woe
Be heard where Conway's waters flow?
Or shall a rude and ruthless foe
Find here one willing slave?
From mountain and from valley,
From mountain and from valley,
From Snowdon, from
Plinlimmon's brow
Around your prince ye rally.
Let cowards kiss th'oppressor's scourge,
Home to his heart your weapons urge,
O'erwhelm him in th'avenging surge;
To victory, ye brave!


English version by John Guard

1. Tongues of fire on Idris flaring,
News of foemen near declaring,
To heroic deeds of daring,
Call you, Harlech men.
Groans of wounded peasants dying,
Wails of wives and children flying,
For the distant succour crying,
Call you, Harlech Men.
Shall the voice of wailing,
Now be an unavailing,
You to rouse, who never yet
In battle hour were failing?
This our answer, crowds down pouring,
Swift as winter torrents roaring;
Not in vain the voice imploring
Calls on Harlech men.

2. Load the martial pipes are sounding,
Ev'ry manly heart is bounding,
As our trusted chief surrounding,
March we, Harlech men.
Short the sleep the foe is taking;
Ere the morrows morn is breaking,
They shall have a rude awakening,
Roused by Harlech Men.
Mothers, cease your weeping,
Calm may be your sleeping,
You and yours in safety now,
The Harlech men are keeping.
Ere the sun is high in heaven,
They yon fear, by panic riven,
Shall, like frightened sheep, be driven,
Far, by Harlech men.



Another English version:

1. Men of Harlech! In the Hollow,
Do ye hear like rushing billow
Wave on wave that surging follow
Battle's distant sound?
Tis the tramp of Saxon foemen,
Saxon spearmen, Saxon bowmen,
Be they knights or hinds or yeomen,
They shall bite the ground!
Loose the folds asunder,
Flag we conquer under!
The placid sky now bright on high,
Shall launch its bolts in thunder!
Onward! 'tis the country needs us,
He is bravest, he who leads us
Honor's self now proudly heads us,
Freedom, God and Right!

2. Rocky Steeps and passes narrow,
Flash with spear and flight of arrow
Who would think of death or sorrow?
Death is glory now!
Hurl the reeling horsemen over,
Let the earth dead foemen cover
Fate of friend, of wife, of lover,
Trembles on a blow!
Strands of life are riven!
Blow for blow is given
In deadly lock, or battle shock,
And mercy shrieks to heaven!
Men of Harlech! young or hoary,
Would you win a name in story?
Strike for home, for life, for glory!
Freedom, God and Right!


German versification by Heinrich Möller,
based on the Welsh lyrics by Ceiriog Hughes


1. Seht, es leuchten die Fanale,
Feuer zuckt vom Berg zum Tale,
Strömt herbei, ihr Krieger alle,
Eint euch allzumal!
Führerstimme gellend schwirret,
Waffenlärmen dröhnt und klirret,
Rossesstampfen tobt und wirret,
Vorwärts, stürmt ins Tal!
Rings mit Todeswunde
Helden in der Runde,
Doch "Cymru heut und allezeit,"
So tönt's von Aller Munde.
Drum laßt das Britenbanner schwenken,
In der Sachsen Brust uns senken
Und in ihrem Blute tränken
Cymru's scharfen Stahl!

2. Soll der wilde Sachse siegen?
Sollte Harlech unterliegen?
Nein, der Höchste kann's nicht fügen,
Freiheit schützet Gott!
In den Fluß mit kühnem Mute
Treibt sie, daß er überflute,
Und mit ihrer Leichen Blute
Sie ihn färben rot!
Setzt mit festen Schritten
Halt des Feindes Wüten,
Daß er fühl' im Kampfgewühl
Den Arm der alten Briten!
Drum lasset Schild auf Schilde prallen,
Laßt die Schwerter niederfallen,
Und die Berge wiederhallen:
"Freiheit oder Tod!"


Historical Background:

Quote:
Men of Harlech is a song and military march describing events at the battle for Harlech Castle in 1468, which pitted the forces of Owain Glyndŵr against the future Henry V of England.

Men of Harlech is sometimes mistaken for the national anthem of Wales; this is incorrect, the Welsh anthem is Hen Wlad fy Nhadau (Land of our Fathers). Still, the song occupies an important place in Welsh national culture. It is often the regimental march of regiments historically associated with Wales. The Royal Regiment of Wales, Now the Royal Welsh (UK), the Royal Canadian Hussars (Montreal) and the Governor General's Horse Guards, Canadian Forces are three examples.

The music was first published in 1784 as March of the Men of Harlech in Musical and Poetical Relicks of the Welsh Bards. It first appeared with lyrics in Gems of Welsh Melody, edited by the Welsh poet, John Owen ("Owain Alaw"), published in London, England and Wrexham, Wales in 1860. The Welsh lyrics are by the bard John Jones (Talhaiarn), and the English lyrics by W.H. Baker. Since then, many different versions of the English lyrics have appeared.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men_of_Harlech


...
Harlech Castle, part of the "Castles and Town Walls of King Edward
in Harlech, Beaumaris, Caernarfon and Conwy (Gwynedd)" UNESCO
World Heritage site


Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men_of_Harlech
http://ingeb.org/songs/menofhar.htm
http://www.welsh-nutter.co.uk/songs/menofharlech.html
 

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Reply #1 - 19.06.2006 at 13:52:52

Jan   Offline
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"Zulu" movie version:

"Men of Harlech" gained international recognition when it was featured prominently in the 1963 movie "Zulu", starring Michael Caine, where it was sung by Welsh troops. However, the lyrics of this version were especially written for the film:

Men of Harlech stop your dreaming
Can't you see their spear points gleaming
See their warrior pennants streaming
To this battle field

Men of Harlech stand ye steady
It cannot be ever said ye
For the battle were not ready
Stand and never yield

From the hills rebounding
Let this war cry sounding
Summon all at Cambria's call
The mighty force surrounding

Men of Harlech onto glory
This shall ever be your story
Keep these burning words before ye
Welshmen will not yield


U.S. Army Engineers version

The tune of "Men of Harlech" was also adopted by the US Army Engineers as their hymn. Parts of the text seem to be based on the Zulu film version, or vice versa:

Men of honor, stop your dreaming,
Can't you see their bayonets gleaming,
See their warrior pennants streaming,
To this battle field.

Men of honor, stand ye steady,
It can not be ever said ye,
For this battle were not ready.
Sappers will not yield.

Hear the cannon pounding, pounding.
From the hills resounding, sounding.
Sound the horn, and forward toward,
The mighty force surrounding.

Men of honor, stand ye steady,
Ye shall ever be at ready,
To the frightful foe afore Ye.
Sappers will not yield.

Men of honor, start replying,
On courage and strength relying,
To the fray ahead be flying.
Sappers will not yield.

Men of honor, those before ye,
Fought and died as Engineers for the,
Nation that we hold so dearly.
Sappers will not yield.

Hear the cannon pounding, pounding.
From the hills resounding, sounding.
Sound the horn, and forward toward,
The mighty force surrounding.

Men of honor, on to glory,
This will ever be your story,
Keep these stirring words before ye.
Sappers will not yield.


Royal Canadian Hussars regimental march:

Hark! I hear the foe advancing,
Barb'd steeds are proudly prancing;
Helmets in the sunbeams glancing,
Glitter through the trees.
Men of Har-lech, lie ye dreaming?
See ye not their falchions gleaming,
While their pennons gaily streaming
Flutter in the breeze?
From the rocks rebounding
Let the war cry sounding
Summon all at Cambria's call,
The haughty foe surrounding.
Men of Harlech, on to glory!
See, your banner fam'd in story
Waves these burning words before ye,
"DEATH before we yield!"

Sources:  
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men_of_Harlech
http://www.wood.army.mil/MUSEUM/History/en_hymn.htm
 

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