Welsh national anthem: Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau
Bale and his team-mates will be belting out Wales' national anthem Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of my Fathers) before their Euro 2016 matches. Sing along...
Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, (Land of my Fathers)
The Welsh national anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, (Land of my Fathers in English), was written in 1856 by Evan James and his son, the easily remembered James James. Father Evan wrote the lyrics, while James (the son) wrote the melody. Both the Jameses were from Pontypridd, Glamorgan.
Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau was first sung before a sporting occasion when the fans launched into a version in response to the New Zealand rugby team’s Hacka at Cardiff Arms Park in 1905.
It eventually became the official anthem for sports events in 1975.
Have a listen, it’s a stirring old number:
The Welsh are renowned singers so expect a good old rendition before their games against Slovakia, England and Russia.
Lyrics to Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau
Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,
Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;
Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mad,
Dros ryddid collasant eu gwaed.
(Chorus)
Gwlad, gwlad, pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad.
Tra môr yn fur i'r bur hoff bau,
O bydded i'r hen iaith barhau.
English translation: Land of my Fathers
This land of my fathers is dear to me
Land of poets and singers, and people of stature
Her brave warriors, fine patriots
Shed their blood for freedom
(Chorus)
Land! Land! I am true to my land!
As long as the sea serves as a wall for this pure, dear land
May the language endure for ever.
Phonetic version
And if you want to sing along but don’t speak Welsh, here’s a phonetic version (courtesy of the Welsh government).
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.