The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #70693 Message #1211897
Posted By: sian, west wales
22-Jun-04 - 04:31 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Mentra Gwen, neu Cwynfau y Wraig Weddw
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mentra Gwen, neu Cwynfau y Wraig Weddw
"From J.Parry (Bardd Alaw)'s Welsh Harper Vol.II No.115, but identical with the one noted in the Jenkins Ceri MSS under the name "Mentra Gwen, "Fel y cenir yn y Gogledd" [i.e. Venture Gwen, as sung in N. Wales). In the same volume of the Welsh Harper, No. 175, "Cwyn y Forwyn" is Jenkins "Mentra Gwen Deheubarth" i.e. the South Wales form of the same tune. It is very similar to the well-known "Gyda'r Wawr" arranged by John Thomas (Pencerdd Gwalia), the famous harpist, for Cramer's Songs of Wales. In the Welsh Harper the S. Wales form has two of the lines lengthened, probably by Parry, who was rather given to too much "editing" of the traditional tunes."
I think that fills in the blanks. Cwyn y Forwyn means The Maiden's Complaint. Gyda'r Wawr = With the Dawn.
BTW, the title of this thread should read Cwynfan y Wraig Weddw.
Did you get an email from me with scans of two tunes?
siân