The Pride of Llanfair by Matthew Edwards

Matthew's Comments:  An 18th century broadside, fresh from the press!   It owes something to a memory of a poem by Dafydd ap Gwilym about the girls of Lanbadarn, (except he was treated less generously!).  Anyway, it's a small tribute to the town which has given so many happy memories at Llanstock.  As for the air, I think it comes from something in the singing of Gabriel MacArdle, but I haven't been able to pin it down yet.


It was on Sunday morning as the church bell was ringing,
The blackbird was singing his sweet notes in the air.
The girls of the parish to the church were all thronging,
And my love's among them; she's the pride of Llanfair.

As she walks through the churchyard, all the old men fall silent,
As they gaze on her beauty that shines like a star,
And the young men and boys are all secretly hoping,
For a smile from the lips of the pride of Llanfair.

O how sweetly her voice rings 'mid the church's high rafters,
In melodious hymns, while I whisper a prayer,
O dear God in Heaven, its to You I am praying,
For one word from the lips of the pride of Llanfair.

One kiss and a parting, for I must be going;
I'll return in the springtime, or in the new year.
In the green woods and valleys where the Banwy is flowing,
I will walk with my true love, the pride of Llanfair.