Cyfri'r Geifr

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Cyfri'r Geifr (English: Counting the Goats) is a Welsh folk song. Both the tune and the words are traditional and have developed over the centuries.

The song begins at a slow pace but the speed is increased with each new verse. Further choruses can be added by choosing a new colour for the goat.

The song is a popular test-piece in choral competitions and has been recorded by many singers and choirs.

Although up to sixteen version of the song have been identified, mainly regional, this version is the most common.

[edit] Lyrics

Oes gafr eto? Oes heb ei godro? Ar y creigiau geirwon Mae’r hen afr yn crwydro. Gafr wen, wen, wen. Ie fin wen, finwen, finwen. Foel gynffonwen, foel gynffonwen, Ystlys wen a chynffon. Wen, wen, wen. Gafr ddu, ddu, ddu. Ie finddu, finddu, finddu. Foel gynffonddu, foel gynffonddu, Ystlys ddu a chynffon. Ddu, ddu, ddu. Gafr goch, goch, goch. Ie fin goch, fin goch, fin goch. Foel gynffongoch, foel gynffongoch, Ystlys goch a chynffon. Goch, goch, goch. Gafr las, las, las. Ie fin las, fin las, fin las. Foel gynffonlas, foel gynffonlas, Ystlys las a chynffon. Las, las, las.

Is there another goat? That's not been milked? On the craggy rocks The old goat is wandering. A white, white, white goat, Yes a white lip, white lip, white lip, A white tail, white tail A white flank and tail, White, white, white. A black, black, black goat, Yes a black lip, black lip, black lip, A black tail,black tail. A black flank and tail, Black, black, black. A red, red, red goat, Yes a red lip, red lip, red lip, A red tail, red tail. A red flank and tail, Red, red, red. A blue, blue, blue goat, Yes a blue lip, blue lip, blue lip, A blue tail, blue tail. A blue flank and tail, Blue, blue, blue.