Land of Our Fathers

The song Hen Wlad fy Nhadau, which literally translates as 'Old Land of My Fathers', was composed in Wales the mid 19th century by father and son Evan and James James. Originally called Glan Rhondda, its name was later changed as the song grew in popularity.

By 1905 the song had become an unofficial national anthem for Wales, much like Flower o' Scotland in Scotland and Jerusalem in England would later become. Although not established by law, it is nevertheless recognised as the country's anthem in sporting and official events.

At the end of the 19th century, a Breton version of the song called Bro Gozh ma Zadoù had been made to the same tune and in 1903 it was chosen as the region's national anthem. A Cornish version of the song called Bro Goth agan Tasow has also been created and is sung as an anthem at the annual Gorsedh, though it vies for place as the region's national anthem with Trelawny.

Hen Wlad fy Nhadau

Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,

Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;

Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mad,

Dros ryddid collasant eu gwaed.

Gwlad, gwlad, pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad.

Tra môr yn fur i'r bur hoff bau,

O bydded i'r hen iaith barhau.

Hen Gymru fynyddig, paradwys y bardd,

Pob dyffryn, pob clogwyn, i'm golwg sydd hardd;

Trwy deimlad gwladgarol, mor swynol yw si

Ei nentydd, afonydd, i mi.

Gwlad, gwlad, pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad.

Tra môr yn fur i'r bur hoff bau,

O bydded i'r hen iaith barhau.

Os treisiodd y gelyn fy ngwlad tan ei droed,

Mae hen iaith y Cymry mor fyw ag erioed,

Ni luddiwyd yr awen gan erchyll law brad,

Na thelyn berseiniol fy ngwlad.

Old land of my fathers is dear to me,

Land of bards and singers, famous men of renown;

Her brave warriors, patriots so good,

For freedom lost their blood

Land, land, I am partial to my country.

While seas are walls to this pure beloved land

O let the old language continue

Old mountainous Wales, paradise of the bard,

Every valley, every cliff is a beautiful sight for me;

Through patriotic feeling, so charming is the sound

Of her streams, rivers to me.

Land, land, I am partial to my country.

While seas are walls to this pure, beloved land

O let the old language continue

If the enemy oppressed my land beneath his foot,

The old language of the Welsh will be as alive as ever,

They will not hinder the muse by the hideous hand of treason,

Nor the melodiuous harp of my country.

Listen to a stirring rendition by Only Men Aloud.

Bro Gozh ma Zadoù

Ni, Breizhiz a galon, karomp hon gwir Vro.

Brudet eo an Arvor dre ar bed tro-do.

Dispont kreiz ar brezel, hon tadoù ken mat,

A skuilhas eviti o gwad.

O Breizh ! ma Bro ! Me 'gar ma Bro.

Tra ma vo 'r mor 'vel mur 'n he zro.

Ra vezo digabestr ma Bro !

Breizh, douar ar sent kozh, douar ar varzhed,

N'eus Bro all a garan kement 'barzh ar bed.

Pep menez, pep traoñienn, d'am c'halon zo kaer,

Enno 'kousk meur a Vreizhad taer !

O Breizh ! ma Bro ! Me 'gar ma Bro.

Tra ma vo 'r mor 'vel mur 'n he zro.

Ra vezo digabestr ma Bro !

Ar Vretoned zo tud kalet ha kreñv;

N'eus pobl ken kalonek a-zindan an neñv,

Gwerz trist, son dudius a ziwan eno,

O ! pegen kaer ec'h out, ma Bro !

We Bretons at heart, we love our true country.

Our coast is renowned across the world.

Without fear of war in their hearts our great ancestors

Spilled their blood for her.

O Brittany! my Country! I love my country.

As long as the sea's like a wall around her.

May you be free, my Country!

Brittany, land of the old saints, land of the bards,

There is no other country that I love so much.

Every mountain, every valley is dear to my heart,

The them there still sleeps a heroic Breton.

O Brittany! my Country! I love my country.

As long as the sea's like a wall around her.

May you be free, my Country!

The Bretons are a people hard and strong;

There is no people beneath the heavens so valiant,

Sad laments and cheerful songs till among them,

Oh, how beautiful you are, my Country!

Listen to an a capella version of the song here.

Bro Goth agan Tasow

Bro goth agan tasow, dha flehes a'th car,

Gwlas ker an howlsedhes, pan vro yw dha bar?

War oll an norvys 'th on ni scollys a-les,

Mes agan kerensa yw dhis.

Kernow! Kernow, y keryn Kernow;

An mor hedra vo yn fos dhis a-dro

'Th on onan hag oll rag Kernow!

Gwlascor Myghtern Arthur, an Sens kens, ha'n Gral

Moy kerys genen nyns yw tiredh aral,

Ynnos sy pub carn, nans, menydh ha chi

A gews yn Kernowek dhyn ni.

Kernow! Kernow, y keryn Kernow;

An mor hedra vo yn fos dhis a-dro

'Th on onan hag oll rag Kernow!

Yn tewlder an bal ha war donnow an mor,

Pan esen ow qwandra dre diryow tramor

Yn pub le pynag, hag yn keniver bro

Y treylyn colonnow dhiso.

Old land of our fathers, your children love you

Dear land of the west, what land is your equal?

Across the whole world we are spread far and wide,

But our love is for you.

Cornwall! Cornwall! We love Cornwall;

As long as the sea is a wall around you

We are, one and all, for Cornwall!

Land of King Arthur, ancient saints, and the Grail

No other land is more beloved by us,

In you every tor, valley, mountain and house

Speaks to us in Cornish.

Cornwall! Cornwall! We love Cornwall;

As long as the sea is a wall around you

We are, one and all, for Cornwall!

In the darkness of the mine and on waves of the sea,

Pen we are wandering through foreign lands

In whatever place, and however many countries

We may turn our hearts to you.

Here's John Bolitho singing.