Ah, that explains the Ceiriog reference.

I accept what's being said grammatically about 'ac' but now I've checked back to Phyllis and Mered's book, it does say 'a' ... and I can't think of very many people who would argue with Mered on a point of grammar. I think the real points here are that a) it's correct although grammatically there are other correct ways and b) this is a folk song and therefor vernacular (and to be sung) so if Mered tells me to use 'a' I will, personally, use 'a'.

To further complicate matters, I've found an old publication (late 19th C?) that I had hanging around the house with 6 verses by Rhuddenfab - 3 not currently in our 'collection' - and a Fal de ral lal di ral di ro chorus. Also, the orthography is very much of its time and if we can't decide between 'ac' and 'a' ... this will drive us quite mad! Besides, I've never actually heard the 3 other verses used so, not in the 'popular' repetoire.

Having said that, the "Mae gen i iar a cheiliog" verse has a last line, "Rwy'n ei gwneud hi yn o lew" - "I'm doing OK." This is MUCH easier to sing!

We also need to add, to my historical notes, thanks to Huw Williams' book "Canu'r Pobl". I didn't translate his note on the song exactly but all the info came from there so should be credited.

We're getting there?

sian