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16 Sep 08 - 02:35 PM (#2442306) Subject: Lyr Req: Men of Harlech (Madrigal Singers) From: GUEST,Miro On the album Scarborough Fair: 20 Folk Songs of the British Isles(Hallmark), the Madrigal Singers give us a version of Men of Harlech that I can't find on the web, except for some lines. I hope someone will help me, filling in the blanks of my transcript or correcting it. Men of Harlech, stop your dreaming, See the Saxon armors gleaming, Spears and banners streaming, Ready for the fight. Can't you hear the foe advancing? Hear the noble horses prancing, the helmets glancing, Shining through the night. From the rocks rebounding Let the cries resounding Summon all single(?) call, The mighty foe surrounding. O men of Harlech, on to glory With your banner high before you! and let your foe Be scattered in the fight. Never the Saxon shake you. Never take you. Nothing they can do Will make you tremble in their sight. So just dying, a-lying, Never more to stand before Your noble pennant . behind you Strong you So your foe will never find you Wanting(?) in the fight. |
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16 Sep 08 - 05:11 PM (#2442461) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Men of Harlech (Madrigal Singers) From: ClaireBear Hello, I think I may have found the version you're looking for (though not having heard the Madrigal Singers, I can't be sure) on the Skepticfiles page. MEN OF HARLECH Translated from the Welsh by: Verses 1, 2: Peter John Stephens Verses 3, 4: Thomas Oliphaunt Verses 5, 6: William Duthie See the glares of fire like hell there, Tongues of flame that writhe and swell there. Brave men strike with full-voiced yell there: Forward with all might. Armor clashing, cries of foemen, Hear the chieftains urgin' "On men!" Thunder of the charging horsemen Echo height on height. Arfon sings for ever Of her might and glory. Wales will be as Wales has been, So great in freedom's story! Those fires light up the sacrifices; Cry of a dying Welshman rises. In the cause of freedom's crisis Bravest men must fight. We'll not die, be conquered never. Harlech, Harlech lives for ever Freedom's from the Greatest Giver, Freedom is our good. See how Welshmen shouting run down From the mountains they do come down Like a storm that strikes at sundown Boil up like a flood. Welshmen's strength has made her Freedom's strong crusader. Swords of Welshmen have cut deep The hearts of the invader. The sword is met by sword replying, Steel by steel on strength relying; See where Gwalia's flag is flying, Freedom's in her blood! Hark! I hear the foe advancing Barbed steeds are proudly prancing; Helmets, in the sunbeams glancing, Glitter through the trees. Men of Harlech, lie ye dreaming? See ye not their falchions gleaming, While their pennons gaily streaming Flutter in the breeze? From the rocks rebounding, Let the war-cry sounding Summon all at Cambria's call, The haughty foe surrounding. Men of Harlech, on to glory! See your banner famed in story Waves these burning word before ye, "Britain scorns to yield!" 'Mid the fray, see dead and dying, Friend and foe together lying; All around the arrows flying Scatter sudden death! Frightened steeds are wildly neighing, Brazen trumpets hoarsely braying, Wounded men for mercy praying With their parting breath! See---they're in disorder! Comrades, keep close order! Ever they shall rue the day They ventured o're the border! Now the Saxon flees before us; Victory's banner floateth o'er us! Raise the loud, exalting chorus: "Britain wins the field!" Men of Harlech, in the hollow Do ye hear like rushing billow Wave on wave that surging follow Battle's distant sound? 'Tis the tramp of Saxon foemen, Be they knights or hinds or yeomen, They shall bite the ground. Loose the folds asunder! Flag we conquer under! The placid sky, now bright on high, Shall launch it's bolts in thunder! Onward, 'tis our country needs us! He is bravest he who leads us, Honor's self now proudly heeds us--- Freedom, God, and Right! Rocky steeps and passes narrow Flash with spear and flight of arrow. Who would think of death or sorrow--- Death is glory now! Hurl the yelling horsemen over, Let the earth dead foemen cover. Fate of friend, of wife, of lover Trembles of a blow! Strands of life are riven. Blow for blow is given, In deadly lock or battle shock And mercy shrieks to Heaven! Men of Harlech, young or hoary, Would you win a name in story? Fight for home, for life, for glory, Freedom, God, and Right! |
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16 Sep 08 - 07:02 PM (#2442565) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Men of Harlech (Madrigal Singers) From: GUEST,Miro Thanks, ClaireBear, for your help, but the version found on Skepticfiles page isn't the one I'm looking for. As you can see by my transcript, the version that apppears on Madrigal Singers' album seems to be mostly an assemblage or adaptation of lines of other versions. Miro |
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16 Sep 08 - 07:49 PM (#2442606) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Men of Harlech (Madrigal Singers) From: GUEST,mg The second translation is the best I think but so much better in Welsh, as are most songs done in their native tongue. mg |