Bugeilio'r Gwenith Gwyn

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Bugeilio'r Gwenith Gwyn (English: Shepherding The White Wheat) is an 18th century traditional Welsh love song.

It describes the tragic love affair between Wil Hopcyn and Ann Thomas (The Maid of Cefn Ydfa) from the village of Llangynwyd in Glamorganshire. Ann belonged to a wealthy farming family but Wil was only a farm labourer. Ann's mother rejected Wil and forced Ann into a marriage with Anthony Maddocks, the son of a local squire.

A few days before the marriage took place Wil left Llangynwyd. Months later Wil had a dream in which Ann's new husband had died, so he returned home. However, when he arrived he discovered that in fact it was Ann who was dying, from a broken heart. Ann died in his arms that day.

Maddocks inherited the Thomas' estate and soon re-married.

Wil died in 1741, never having married. Both he and Ann are buried at Llangynwyd.


[edit] Lyrics

Myfi sydd fachgen ieuanc ffôl.
Yn byw yn ôl fy ffansi
Myfi'n bugeilio'r gwenith gwyn,
Ac arall yn ei fedi.
Pam na ddôi di ar fy ôl,
Rhyw ddydd ar ôl ei gilydd?
Gwaith rwy'n dy weld, y feinir fach,
Yn lanach, lanach beunydd!
Glanach, glanach wyt bob dydd,
Neu fi a'm ffydd sy'n ffolach,
Er mwyn y Gŵr a wnaeth dy wedd,
Dod im drugaredd bellach.
Cwnn dy ben, gwêl acw draw,
Rho im dy law wen dirion;
Gwaith yn dy fynwes bert ei thro
Mae allwedd clo fy nghalon!
Tra fo dŵr y môr yn hallt,
A thra bo gwallt yn tyfu
A thra bo calon yn fy mron
Mi fyddai'n ffyddlon iti:
Dywed imi'r gwir dan gêl
A rho dan sêl d'atebion,
P'un ai myfi ai arall, Ann
Sydd orau gan dy galon?
A simple youthful lad am I
Who loves at fancy's pleasure:
I fondly watch the blooming wheat,
Another reaps the treasure.
Oh! Wherefore still despise my suit,
Why sighing keep thy lover?
For some new charm, thou matchless fair,
I day by day discover.
Each day reveals some newborn grace,
Or does fond faith deceive me?
In love to Him who formed thy face,
With pity now receive me,
Then lift thine eyes, one look bestow.
Give me thy hand, my fairest,
For in thy bosom, lovely maid,
My heart's true key thou bearest.
While hair adorns this aching brow
Still I will love sincerely,
While ocean rolls its briny flow
Still I will love thee dearly.
Then tell the truth, in secret tell,
And under seal discover,
If it be I or who is blest
As thy true heart's best lover.