Calon Lân

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Calon Lân is a Welsh hymn, whose words were written in the 1800s by Daniel James (23 January 1848 - 11 March 1920) to a tune by John Hughes (1872-1914). The hymn is often associated with Welsh rugby union, being sung before almost every Test match involving the Welsh national team.

In 2007 the song will be one of the traditional Welsh hymns to make it to the screen in an S4C series Codi Canu, as an attempt is made to bring traditional four-part harmony choral singing back to the Welsh rugby terraces.

"Calon Lân" is unusual among the most popular Welsh traditional hymns and songs in that the English version is virtually never sung -- unlike "Cwm Rhondda" for example.

1 Lyrics
2 Translation
3 Adaptations
4 External links

[edit] Lyrics

Nid wy'n gofyn bywyd moethus,
Aur y byd na'i berlau mân:
Gofyn wyf am galon hapus,
Calon onest, calon lân.

Chorus
Calon lân yn llawn daioni,
Tecach yw na'r lili dlos:
Dim ond calon lân all ganu
Canu'r dydd a chanu'r nos.

Pe dymunwn olud bydol,
Hedyn buan ganddo sydd;
Golud calon lân, rinweddol,
Yn dwyn bythol elw fydd.

Chorus

Hwyr a bore fy nymuniad
Gwyd i'r nef ar adain cân
Ar i Dduw, er mwyn fy Ngheidwad,
Roddi i mi galon lân.

Chorus

[edit] Translation

I don't ask for a luxurious life,
the world's gold or its fine pearls,
I ask for a happy heart,
an honest heart, a pure heart.

Chorus
A pure heart full of goodness,
It is more beautiful than the lovely lily,
None but a pure heart can sing,
Sing in the day, sing in the night.

If I asked for worldly wealth,
It would swiftly go to seed;
The riches of a virtuous, pure heart
Will bear eternal profit.

Chorus

Evening and morning, my wish
Rising to heaven on the wing of song
To God, for the sake of my Saviour,
Give me a pure heart.

Chorus

Alternative Translation in rhyme ( by permission of author Malcolm Cowen )

I’d not ask a life that’s easy,
Gold and pearls so little mean,
Rather seek a heart that’s joyful,
Heart that’s honest, heart that’s clean.

Chorus
Heart that’s clean and filled with virtue,
Fairer far than lilies white,
Only pure hearts praise God truly,
Praise him all the day and night.

Why should I seek earthly treasures,
On swift wings they fly away,
Pure clean hearts bring greater riches
That for life eternal stay.

Chorus

Dawn and sunset still I’m searching,
Reaching on a wing of song,
Give me Lord, through Christ my Saviour
That clean heart for which I long.

Chorus

NB alternative words:
Verse 2, line 2: "Chwim adenydd iddo sydd"
Chorus, line 3: "Does ond calon lan all ganu"

[edit] Adaptations

The tune of "Calon Lân" has been adapted to suit other lyrics, notably "A Miner's Lifeguard," "Life's Railway to Heaven" and "The Weaver's Song." (most prominently sung by the Almanac Singers)