englyn Gwydion

[Ci Celli Ddu]

derwen a dyf rhwng dau lyn
yn cysgodi'n dawel awyr a glyn
oni ddywedaf i gelwydd
o flodau Lleu y mae hyn

derwen a dyf mewn maes uchel
nis gwlych glaw, nis tawdd gwres
cynhaliodd ugain dawn
ar ei brig Lleu Llaw Gyffes

derwen a dyf dan lechwedd
noddfa tywysog hardd
oni ddywedaf i gelwydd
fe ddaw Lleu i'm harffed

The oldest ever recorded invocation spell in Welsh, found in the tale 'Math fab Mathonwy' in the Mabinogion, the bardic god Gwydion (Woden/Ogmios/Mercury) lures the injured god Lleu (Lucifer/Lugos/Lugh/Jupiter) who is in the form of an eagle (Jupiter) down from an oak tree (Jupiter again) in order to cure him and restore him to his godhood. With each verse the eagle descends down the tree, finally resting in Gwydion's lap.

Oak that grows between two lakes;
Darkening gently sky and glen
Unless I tell a lie,
From the flowers of Lleu are these

Oak that grows in upland ground,
Rain wets it not, heat burns it not
It contained twenty gifts
It bears in its branches Lleu of the Skillfull Hand

Oak that grows beneath the slope
Shelter of a fair prince
Unless I tell a lie
Lleu will come to my lap

Notes: 1) an englyn is a type of stanza in Welsh
2) pronunciation of welsh (http://www.cs.cf.ac.uk/fun/welsh/Lesson01.html)
3) The tale of Math fab Mathonwy (http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/mab/mab26.htm). Lleu (Light), as often happens. is mispellt here as "Llew" (Lion)

[m1thr0s]

that's very lyrical...very nice. Is there some tune that goes with this?

m1thr0s

[Ci Celli Ddu]

that's very lyrical...very nice. Is there some tune that goes with this?

m1thr0s

Englyns are sung as penillion (http://www.asamnet.de/~bayerj/landofsong/24.htm), also called Cerdd Dant. They all sound the same, so here's an example. Personally I prefer to sing it to the tune of Iarla O Lionaird (http://www.iarla-o-lionaird.net/)'s rendition of Caoineadh Na dTri Mhuire

[m1thr0s]

thanks for the links. can't say I care too much for that particular musical form (which puzzles me because I love celtic music), but in the process of following links I fell in love with this gem:

87

if her eyes don't hypnotize you her music (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=61050148) will...

m1thr0s

[Ci Celli Ddu]

thanks for the links. can't say I care too much for that particular musical form (which puzzles me because I love celtic music)

Hehe, that's why I prefer using an Irish tune. Most people think Celtic music is one and the same as Irish music, but in reality there's no such thing. There's Irish and Scots music, which can be put in the same box because culturally and historically Scotland is an Irish colony anyway, then there's Welsh music and there's Breton music. If you didnt like that Cerdd Dant piece then imagine being in the audience listening to it for hours on end. The lyrics may vary but the tune never changes! There's definately somewhere in Hell where this is a punishment. Thanks for the link btw.

[m1thr0s]

actually I think the link got screwed up...it was supposed to go to a MySpace share of a few complete songs by her...anyway...I think it's fixed now...

m1thr0s

[Ci Celli Ddu]

actually I think the link got screwed up...it was supposed to go to a MySpace share of a few complete songs by her...anyway...I think it's fixed now...

m1thr0s

hehe yeah that's a lot better

[m1thr0s]

that appears to actually be her MySpace page...if you follow some of her friends links you'll run into all these unknown musicians...some quite good...

m1thr0s

[Ci Celli Ddu]

that appears to actually be her MySpace page...if you follow some of her friends links you'll run into all these unknown musicians...some quite good...

m1thr0s

yeah that Folk Roots looks like a handy link too

[feranaja]

Englyns are sung as penillion (http://www.asamnet.de/~bayerj/landofsong/24.htm), also called Cerdd Dant. They all sound the same, so here's (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQtioaNZYmo) an example. Personally I prefer to sing it to the tune of Iarla O Lionaird (http://www.iarla-o-lionaird.net/)'s rendition of Caoineadh Na dTri Mhuire (http://www.amazon.com/gp/recsradio/radio/B000000HPV/ref=mu_sam_ms_001_003/002-0090779-7460050)


Thank you for that clip Ci Celli - it was stunning. Incredible musicality and expressive control for such young singers and the language is so beautiful. Many great links here for lovers of Celtic music. again, much appreciated. I can see I wont be getting much work done today..:laugh:

fera

[Kuroyagi]

Englyns are sung as penillion (http://www.asamnet.de/~bayerj/landofsong/24.htm), also called Cerdd Dant. They all sound the same, so here's (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQtioaNZYmo) an example. Personally I prefer to sing it to the tune of Iarla O Lionaird (http://www.iarla-o-lionaird.net/)'s rendition of Caoineadh Na dTri Mhuire (http://www.amazon.com/gp/recsradio/radio/B000000HPV/ref=mu_sam_ms_001_003/002-0090779-7460050)I like it a lot! If the harder consonants were only a tick more soft- and if the costumes and the stage were more elegant and oppulent- then itd be fecking awesome...but it was still great. Thanks for the info CCD! :)