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Suo Gân (IPA: [sɨɔ gɑːn]) is a traditional Welsh lullaby written by an anonymous composer. Though the lyrics are comforting and warm, the beautiful melody has a distinctly haunting quality.
[edit] Lyrics
- Huna blentyn yn fy mynwes
- Clyd a chynnes ydyw hon;
- Breichiau mam sy'n dynn amdanat,
- Cariad mam sy dan fy mron;
- Ni cha' dim amharu'th gyntun,
- Ni wna undyn â thi gam;
- Huna'n dawel, annwyl blentyn,
- Huna'n fwyn ar fron dy fam.
- Huna'n dawel, heno, huna,
- Huna'n fwyn, y tlws ei lun;
- Pam yr wyt yn awr yn gwenu,
- Gwenu'n dirion yn dy hun?
- Ai angylion fry sy'n gwenu,
- Arnat ti yn gwenu'n llon,
- Tithau'n gwenu'n ôl dan huno,
- Huno'n dawel ar fy mron?
- Paid ag ofni, dim ond deilen
- Gura, gura ar y ddôr;
- Paid ag ofni, ton fach unig
- Sua, sua ar lan y môr;
- Huna blentyn, nid oes yma
- Ddim i roddi iti fraw;
- Gwena'n dawel yn fy mynwes
- Ar yr engyl gwynion draw.
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- Sleep my baby, at my breast,
- ’Tis a mother’s arms round you.
- Make yourself a snug, warm nest.
- Feel my love forever new.
- Harm will not meet you in sleep,
- Hurt will always pass you by.
- Child beloved, always you’ll keep,
- In sleep gentle, mother’s breast nigh.
- Sleep in peace tonight, sleep,
- O sleep gently, what a sight.
- A smile I see in slumber deep,
- What visions make your face bright?
- Are the angels above smiling,
- At you in your peaceful rest?
- Are you beaming back while in
- Peaceful slumber on mother’s breast?
- Do not fear the sound, it’s a breeze
- Brushing leaves against the door.
- Do not dread the murmuring seas,
- Lonely waves washing the shore.
- Sleep child mine, there’s nothing here,
- While in slumber at my breast,
- Angels smiling, have no fear,
- Holy angels guard your rest.
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Suo Gân is also a Welsh carol, featured in the American Edition of the Orff-Schulwerk Music for Children book with the following verses:
- Suogân, do not weep,
- Suogân, go to sleep;
- Suogân, mother's near,
- Suogân, have no fear.
- Suogân, Eastern Star,
- Suogân, from afar;
- Suogân, shepherds sing,
- Suogân, newborn King.
- Suogân, from above,
- Suogân, song of love;
- Suogân, blessed morn,
- Suogân, Christ is born.
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Note that none of the English versions above are direct translations of the Welsh lyrics, but adaptations to English.
[edit] In popular culture
"Suo Gân", as performed by James Rainbird and the Ambrosian Junior Choir directed by John McCarthy, is featured prominently in the film Empire of the Sun, where it is lip-synched by a young Christian Bale.
It also appears, instrumentally, in the beginning of the movie Dutch, starring Ethan Embry.
The rock band Savatage used the song as a base for their song "Heal My Soul" on the 1991 album Streets: A Rock Opera.
It appears in the Anime Grave of the Fireflies as well
Welsh
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