Tra Bo Dau | music

Tra Bo Dau: A Welsh Folksong - For High Voice (2013)

Written for Polly

Premiered in Recital Room, Victoria Rooms, Bristol.
Soprano: Polly Johnson
Pianist: David Bednall

As one of the most famous Welsh love folk-songs, Tra Bo Dau seemed a natural choice for arranging for Polly. The song was one of the first songs to reignite the art of the Welsh folk-song and led to the formation of the Welsh Folk Song Society.

The song talks about love lasting over a distance, both with distance and time. The singer calls out to their lover across the sea, longing for them and hoping that they are well.

Mae'r hon a gâr fy nghalon i
Ymhell oddi yma'n byw;
A hiraeth am ei gweled hi
A'm gwnaeth yn llwyd fy lliw.

Cyfoeth nid yw ond oferedd,
Glendid nid yw yn parhau;
Ond cariad pur sydd fel y dur
Yn para tra bo dau.

O'r dewis hardd ddewisais i
Oedd dewis lodes lân;
A chyn bydd 'difar gennyf fi
O rhewi wnaiff y tân.

Mae f'annwyl riain dros y lli,
Gobeithio'i bod hi'n iach!
'Rwy'n caru'r tir lle cerddo hi
Dan wraidd fy nghalon fach.