This song was collected from just outside Chicago by the Reverend R Silyn Roberts, and published by Robert Bryan in Alawon y Celt (1905). It tells of a bird sent as a love messenger.
Gwcw fach, ond d’wyt ti’n ffolog
Ffol di rol di rw dw ri rai tai to,
Yn canu ‘mysg yr eithin pigog
Ffol di rol di rw dw ri rai tai to,
Dos i blwy’ Dolgellau dirion
Ffol di rol di rw dw ri rai tai to,
Ti gei yno lwyni gwyrddion
Ffol di rol di rw dw ri rai tai to.
Gwcw fach ehed yn union
Ffol di rol di rw dw ri rai tai to,
Tua glan yr afon Wnion
Ffol di rol di rw dw ri rai tai to,
Ar dy aden aros ennyd
Ffol di rol di rw dw ri rai tai to,
Wrth aneddle fy anwylyd
Ffol di rol di rw dw ri rai tai to.
Gwcw fach os yno gweli
Ffol di rol di rw dw ri rai tai to,
Rywun wyla’r dwr yn heli
Ffol di rol di rw dw ri rai tai to,
Cana gân y gwanwyn iddo
Ffol di rol di rw dw ri rai tai to,
Cân o obaith i’w gysuro
Ffol di rol di rw dw ri rai tai to.
Little cuckoo, aren’t you foolish,
Singing amongst the spiky gorse,
Go to the parish of fair Dolgellau,
You will find there green bushes.
Little cuckoo, fly immediately
To the banks of the Wnion river
On the wing, wait awhile
By the home of my beloved.
Little cuckoo, if you see there
Someone weeping salty tears
Sing to him the song of spring
A song of hope to comfort him.
Translation - Dafydd Iwan
Recordings of this song:
Lyrics and translations of this song
http://www.gwenangibbard.com/english/gwenith6e-gwcwfach.html
http://www.musicanet.org/robokopp/welsh/cuckdear.htm
Other songs in Welsh | Songs in other languages
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