A Pontypridd Collier in Search of His Wife
Trad

Summary: The collier manages to lose his wife in the pub. After walking about 50 miles around South Wales, he finds her in the pub next door to where he last saw her.

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Welsh language pronunciation differs from English.
Pontypridd (meaning "Earth bridge") sounds like Pont-er-preathe where th is voiced, as in breathe.
Rhondda sounds like Rhontha.
Ystrad like Ustrad.
Hafod = Havod (F in Welsh sounds like V).
Llwnypia : the Ll is that Welsh sound that doesn't appear in any other language as far as I know. Approximated by FL.
Cwm (coom) means valley.

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In Pontypridd I dwell, It’s the truth I have to tell,
It was Wednesday. as you know it’s Market Day.
I with my old Jam Tart to the Market made a start,
But by Jove, she seemed to have bolted clean away.

In the New Inn I did pop, Just to have a little drop,
As I happened to be feeling rather dry.
But when I looked around, she was nowhere to be found
I fear My Dutch [Note slang Duchess of Fife = wife] has gone off with a Guy.

I’ve hunted everywhere, In the Rhondda I declare,
Treherbert, Tonypandy, Ystrad, Porth,
Dinas, Hafod, Llwnypia, Maerdy, Ferndale, Ynishir,
But I’ve had to look a long way further North.

I set out O’er hill and dale, I got to Merthyr Vale,
Aberfan, Mount Pleasant, and Troedyrhiw.
Through Cilfynydd and Coedpenmaen though my heart was filled with pain
I was mad I hardly knew what I should do.

I made a sudden dash across the hill to Mountain Ash,
Abercynon, Penrhiwceiber, Ynsybwl.
To Nelson I did pop, at Quaker’s Yard I made a stop,
Through Treharris and Bedlinog I did pull.

I’ve looked round everywhere, Merthyr, Dowlais, Aberdare,
Rhymney, Pontlottyn, Tredegar, Old and New,
Brynmawr and Ebbw Vale, to Beaufort I did sail,
Til I landed safely down in Rhiwddyblew.

I thought I might suceed, If I went to Aberbeeg,
Past Waenlwyd and the Cwm I had to go.
All round Llanhilleth hills, I swallowed bitter pills,
and the youngsters started ringing poor old Joe.

I doubled on my tracks, went by Abertillery back,
Nantyglo and Blaina I did search.
Up the Garn I had a run, it was anything but fun
but now I know that I’m left in the lurch.

All the Western Valleys down, to Abercarn and Risca Town,
Blackwood, Cowbridge, Crumlin too as well.
Walked five miles to Pontypool, then to Cwmbran like a fool,
How I managed to reach Newport, I can’t tell.

Next to Cardiff I did steer, for I thought I’d persevere,
To Barry, Swansea, down the Cowbridge Road.
Called at Aberavon and Neath, told them there of all my grief,
Then I started back to find my own abode,

Cwmmer, Caerau and Maesteg, on the ‘Garw made a raid,
Tondu, Ogmore, Gilfach Goch, Bridgend.
In Llantrisant’s ancient town, I parted with my last Crown [old coin, equalled one quarter of a pound],
But a Butty there turned out to be a friend.

He gave me a piece of chalk so that I didn’t have to walk,
Back to Pontypridd, that town of many charms,
But imagine my surprise, It dazzled both my eyes,
My wife was boozing in the “Butcher’s Arms”.


Source
http://www.archaeoikon.com/archwp/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Welsh-Drovers-1998.pdf#
It is said that each valley had its own version of the song.
Recorded by Calennig on
Songs And Tunes From Wales
Greenwich Village GVR 214 1980
There is some variation in the lyrics, as this is a traditional song