Dafydd y Garreg Wen

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Dafydd y Garreg Wen is a traditional Welsh air and folk song.

David Owen, the famous blind harper and composer, lived near Porthmadog in Caernarfonshire, Wales in the first half of the 18th century and was known locally as Dafydd y Garreg Wen. The epithet Y Garreg Wen (English: The White Rock) was the name of the farm near Morfa Bychan on which he lived.

Tradition has it that as Owen lay on his death bed, he called for his harp and composed the haunting air. He died at the age of 29.

The word were added nearly a hundred years later in by the poet John Ceiriog Hughes.

'Cariwch', medd Dafydd, 'fy nhelyn i mi, Ceisiaf cyn marw roi tôn arni hi. Codwch fy nwylo i gyraedd y tant; Duw a'ch bendithio fy ngweddw a'm plant!' 'Neithiwr mi glywais lais angel fel hyn: "Dafydd, tyrd adref, a chwarae trwy'r glyn!" Delyn fy mebyd, ffarwel i dy dant! Duw a'ch bendithio fy ngweddw a'm plant!'

'Bring me my harp', was David's sad sigh, 'I would play one more tune before I die. Help me, dear wife, put the hands to the strings, I wish my loved ones the blessing God brings.' 'Last night an angel called with heaven's breath: "David, play, and come through the gates of death!" Farewell, faithful harp, farewell to your strings, I wish my loved ones the blessing God brings.'

Owen is also well known for his air Codiad yr Ehedydd (English: Rising of the lark).

A more literal translation would be:-

'Carry', said David, 'my harp to me'

I would like, before dying, to give a tune on it (her)

Lift my hands to reach the strings

God bless you, my widow and children!

Last night I heard an angel's voice like this:

"David, come home and play through the glen!"

Harp of my youth, farewell to your strings!

God bless you, my widow and children!