Cariad Cywir lyrics
Redr...@gateway.net
In reading the translation to the traditional folk song, Cariad Cywir, there's
a line that translates- "While there is lime on a mansion roof".
I've been wondering what this means- was it a whitewash?? or some other
purpose?? Does someone know??
Tra fyddo calchar dalcen plas
Trad fyddo clomen blufen las
Tra fyddo'r fran yn troi'n ei nyth
Fanwylyd fach a gara'i byth
(While there is lime on a mansion roof)
(While a dove has feathers grey)
(While the rook turns in his nest)
(I will love my dear forever)
Thank you for your help!!
Jodee James
Redr...@gateway.net
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Emyr
Redr...@gateway.net wrote in message <73ntss$a34$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...
>Hi there,
>In reading the translation to the traditional folk song, Cariad Cywir,
there's
>a line that translates- "While there is lime on a mansion roof".
>I've been wondering what this means- was it a whitewash?? or some other
>purpose?? Does someone know??
>
>Tra fyddo calchar dalcen plas
>Trad fyddo clomen blufen las
>Tra fyddo'r fran yn troi'n ei nyth
>Fanwylyd fach a gara'i byth
>(While there is lime on a mansion roof)
>(While a dove has feathers grey)
>(While the rook turns in his nest)
>(I will love my dear forever)
Lime on a mansion roof? Possibly the remnants of a crazed tequila session?
But more likely, as you suggest, calch is whitewash; though talcen would be
one of the sides of the building. The whitewashing of a palace or mansion
etc. would be done regularly. Presumably.
HTH
Emyr.
geraint
>Hi there,
>In reading the translation to the traditional folk song, Cariad Cywir,
there's
>a line that translates- "While there is lime on a mansion roof".
>I've been wondering what this means- was it a whitewash?? or some other
>purpose?? Does someone know??
whitewash (usually as "gwyngalch", white lime), and the line actually means:
"While there is whitewash on the side of a mansion" - and to tell you the
truth, that line is the weakest one in the whole poem.
Also, I've never heard this song? Where did you find it? Hear it?
hwyl!
geraint.
Emyr
geraint wrote in message
<912299563.23453.2...@news.demon.co.uk>...
>"While there is whitewash on the side of a mansion" - and to tell you the
>truth, that line is the weakest one in the whole poem.
Yes, Geraint, a little bit dodgy. It doesn't sound like he really loves her,
he's slipped a loophole into his declaration ready for when he fancies
someone else. ;-)
Nos da,
Emyr.
Redr...@gateway.net
Yes its a pretty awkward line, especially since other parts of the song are
quite nice- that's what got me wondering.
As far as the song, Cariad Cywir, i first heard it by Mabsant (Siwsann George)
and then by Plethyn and recently on the new Carreg Lafar album.
I learned it out of the Mabsant songbook and that's where i found the
translation in English. (The notes in the Mabsant book say it was collected
from A. Jenkins, a van driver in Aberystwyth who sang it at an Eisteddfod in
Llangeitho.)
I am in a band that performs Welsh folk songs and when i sing the song in half
English and half Welsh- someone will always ask me about that "lime on a roof"
part!! Ha!!
When i look up the word "talcen", i show "gable" ????
Again,llawer o ddiolch!
Hwyl!
Emyr
Redr...@gateway.net wrote in message <73s44n$gpe$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...
>snip<
When i look up the word "talcen", i show "gable" ????
Hiya, Jodee,
Thanks for posting the song references, my record collection needs
updating - backdating, even.
As for talcen, you looked up the wrong word. Try gable. :)
This is the triangular upper part of a wall formed by a gable roof, though,
personally, I thought talcen meant the entire wall. (?)
But back to the song, can I suggest something like
*While whitewash gleams on the mansion wall*? - Substitute something else
for *gleams*, though. Will I get PRS if you use it? ;-)
Best wishes for the band,
Emyr.