The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #164528   Message #3940126
Posted By: Richie
28-Jul-18 - 03:16 PM
Thread Name: Origins: James Madison Carpenter- Child Ballads 4
Subject: RE: Origins: James Madison Carpenter- Child Ballads 4
TY Jim, happy birthday!

Here's another Welsh version "Mab Annwyl Dy Fam" (Your mother's dear son) from Smithsonian Folkways Folkways Records FW 6835, [1954] by Meredydd Evans (source of Mary Humphreys' version?). My translation may need some improvement. Since one of the gifts is "a sewing machine" this seems like a modern adaptation (1900s). If anyone knows any other Welsh versions please post:

"Mab Annwyl Dy Fam"

"P'le buost ti neithiwr,
mab annwyl dy fam?"
"Pyagola, mam annwyl;
O! c'weiriwch fy ngwely,
'rwy'n glaf, 'rwy'n glaf,
A'm calon ar fyned i'r bedd."

Pa liw oedd dy bysgod,
mab annwyl dy fam?
Rhai brithion, mam annwyl;
O! c'weiriwch fy ngwely,
'rwy'n glaf,
A'm calon ar fyned i'r bedd.

Be 'roi di dy dad,
mab annwyl dy fam?
O pum punt, mam annwyl;
O! c'weiriwch fy ngwely,
'rwy'n glaf, 'rwy'n glaf,
A'm calon ar fyned i'r bedd.

Be 'roi di dy chwaer,
mab annwyl dy fam?
Wel injan wnio;
O! c'we iriweh fy ngwely,
'rwy'n glaf,
A'm calon ar fyned i'r bedd.

Be 'roi di dy fam,
mab annwyl dy fam?
Wel ffortiwn, mam annwyl;
O! c'weiriwch fy ngWely,
'rwy'n glai, 'rwy'n glai,
A'm calon ar fyned i'r bedd.

Be 'roi di dy gariad,
mab annwyl dy fam?
Wei cortyn i'w chrogi;
O! c'weiriwch fy ngwely,
'rwy'n glaf, 'rwy'n glaf,
A'm calon ar fyned i'r bedd.

____________________

"Mab Annwyl Dy Fam" Translation:

(Your Mother's Dear Son)

"Where were you last night,
Your mother's dear son?"
"I went fishing, dear mother,
Oh make my bed,
I am getting sicker
and nearing my grave."

"What was the colour or your fish,
Your mother's dear son?"
"Speckled, dear mother,
Oh make my bed,
I am getting sicker
and nearing my grave."

"What will you give your father,
Your mother's dear son?"
"Five pounds, dear mother!
Oh make my bed,
I am getting sicker
and nearing my grave."

"What will you give your sister,
Your mother's dear son?"
"A sewing machine, dear mother."
Oh make my bed,
I am getting sicker
and nearing my grave."

"What will you give your mother ,
Your mother's dear son?"
"A fortune, dear mother
Oh make my bed,
I am getting sicker
and nearing my grave."

"What will you give your sweetheart,
Your mother's dear son?"
"A rope to hang her,
Oh make my bed,
I am getting sicker
and nearing my grave."

* * * *

Richie