THE GOLDEN WHEAT

"The Golden Wheat" is a delightful song that I came across in Geoffrey Brace's Something to Sing. Geoffrey Brace says that some people consider its melody to be the most beautiful of all Welsh tunes. He attributes the English words to Will Sanhow. In such cases I cannot help thinking that the original Welsh must be even more impressive.
It's of a young man, deeply in love but unsure of his intended's intentions. He has to leave her, he swears undying love and wishes his loved-one will follow him.
"The Golden Wheat" has been recorded by:
[CD] Geoff Grainger on "Manifold Love"
[CD] Geoff Grainger on "DAM/CD Ditty Box Vol. 3: Manifold Love"

http://www.grainger.de/music/songs/goldenwheat.html

A simple youthful lad am I
Who loves at fancy's pleasure:
I fondly watch the blooming wheat,
Another reaps the treasure.
Oh! Wherefore still despise my suit,
Why sighing keep thy lover?
For some new charm, thou matchless fair,
I day by day discover.

2. Each day reveals some newborn grace,
Or does fond faith deceive me?
In love to Him who formed thy face,
With pity now receive me,
Then lift thine eyes, one look bestow.
Give me thy hand, my fairest,
For in thy bosom, lovely maid,
My heart's true key thou bearest.

3. While hair adorns this aching brow
Still I will love sincerely,
While ocean rolls its briny flow
Still I will love thee dearly.
Then tell the truth, in secret tell,
And under seal discover,
If it be I or who is blest
As thy true heart's best lover.

1. Mi sydd fachgen ieuanc ffol.
Yn byw yn ol fy ffansi
Myfi'n bugeilior gwenith gwyn,
Ac arall yn ei fedi.
Pam na ddeui ar fy ol,
Ryw ddydd ar ol ei gilydd?
Gwaith 'rwyn dy weld, y feinir fach,
Yn lanach, lanach beunydd!

2. Glanach, lanach wyt bob dydd,
Neu fi a'm ffydd yn ffolach,
Er mwyn y Gwr a wnaeth dy wedd,
Gwna im drugaredd ballach.
Cwnn dy ben, gwel acw draw,
Rho i mi'th law wen dirion;
Gwaith yn dy fynwes bert ei thro
Mae allwedd clo fy nghalon!

3. Tra fo dwr y mor yn hallt,
A thra fo 'ngwallt yn tyfu
A thra fo calon yn fy mron
Mi fydda'n ffyddlon iti:
Dywed imi'r gwir dan gel
A rho dan sel d'atebion,
P'un ai myfi neu arall, Ann
Sydd orau gan dy galon

A folk song describing the tragic love affair of Wil Hopcyn and Ann, the daughter of a wealthy farmer from Cefenydfa, Llangynwyd, S. Wales. Ann, betrothed through her parents, married the man of their choice. She later died of a broken heart, since her first love was Wil, a farm hand.
MIDI here.
Sequenced by Barry Taylor