When, in springtime ... 
Have you ever watched your beloved from a distance, and been riveted to the spot, just gazing, lost in love? Then you'll understand this song. The tune sounds so old, it's one of my absolute favourites. 

Pan o’wn y gwanwyn ar uchelfryn,
Yn gwylio’r defaid gyda’r wyn,
Clywn lais fy nghariad ber ei chaniad,
Yn seinio’n llawen yn y llwyn;
Oedd gwawr llawenydd ar ei deurudd
O mor hardd ei lliw a’i llun,
A minnau’n syllu, ac ymhyfrydu,
Gan hardded hwyl fy annwyl fun.

When I was in springtime on a high hill,
Watching the sheep with their lambs.
I heard the voice of my beloved - so pure her song - 
Ringing merrily in the grove,
Was that a blush of happiness dawning on her cheeks?
Oh, so beautiful her colour, her picture,
And there was I, gazing, enraptured,
At the happy beauty of my dear one.

Pan Ow'n y Gwanwyn

A traditional May Carol decribing the land greening up, the orchards full of blossom, the birdies singing their little hearts out, and how 'this great fruitful earth, with all its treasure' could feed all its people every day - if only we could live together in peace. Accompaniment by Mike Gulston on guitar, arrangement by Blanche Rowen & Mike Gulston.
From the album The Dance Goes On.

Mae'r Ddaear yn Glasu

The Four Seasons

Bringing in the May! Two traditional songs, both thoroughly got-at by Mike and I. An arrangement of the Northill May Song leading into an arrangement of Mwynen Mai, the first verse thereof (the other two are ghastly) with an English translation (mostly by me) as a second verse. Thanks to Ray Price for the idea of singing the Northill May Song in waltz time.
We sang these at Beltane at a celebratory gathering at the Long Man - quite an experience.
BR 1/5/2012

May Songs

Traditional and contemporary songs with guitar, octave mandola, laùd and bowed psaltery, from a repertoire spanning seven centuries, various languages, and styles from haunting unaccompanied traditional folk to quirky French café foxtrots.

A unique blend of songs old and new: French dance and mediaeval songs, traditional English and Welsh material (sometimes simultaneously), songs for the seasons - plus the odd surprise.

Our second album is 'in progress'.

Visit our website for more info about the duo and our various other musical incarnations.

blancherowen

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