It’s old Trefor’s funeral next Wednesday . With the church now shut he’s had to wait for a slot in nearby Prestatyn, where his sister’s lived. I wonder if Calon Lán will be sung at his funeral? The hymn is often the first choice at funerals is as it means a “Pure Heart” in Welsh.
The above version has been set to different music, but remains powerful in its own right, a credit to the two young Welsh women singing it.
Sad that they won't open the church for local funerals. I hope you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteI am thank u
DeleteUm... you might want to change the heading of this post!
ReplyDeleteOh, I don't know...
DeleteI thought this might be a post about medical problems!
DeleteI’m sure there will be soon xx
DeleteThis was always my favourite hymn when I was at uni in Cardiff! Still love to hear it over 50 years later. JanF
ReplyDeleteI may secretly record it
DeleteBeautiful song!
ReplyDeleteIt’s powerful
DeleteI shiver and get tears every time I hear that hymn. I would have had it played at my husbands funeral except he specifically asked for no funeral and I did what he requested. Trefor should have it though. Gigi
ReplyDeleteWatch this space
DeleteThere won't be a dry eye with that hymn. Will you be attending Trefor's funeral? xx
ReplyDeleteOf course , I’ve taken the day off
DeleteI too, wish the funeral could be held in the church across the lane from your cottage.
ReplyDeleteThe hymn is beautifyl.
Hugs!
I do too , he deserved that
DeleteA beautiful song, with so much feeling...whether sung in a chapel or belted out en masse by rugby fans
ReplyDeleteSee below x
DeleteSuch a beautiful song.
ReplyDeleteCalon Lân in Welsh
DeleteNid wy’n gofyn bywyd moethus,
Aur y byd na’i berlau mân:
Gofyn wyf am galon hapus,
Calon onest, calon lân.
Calon lân yn llawn daioni,
Tecach yw na’r lili dlos:
Dim ond calon lân all ganu
Canu’r dydd a chanu’r nos.
Pe dymunwn olud bydol,
Hedyn buan ganddo sydd;
Golud calon lân, rinweddol,
Yn dwyn bythol elw fydd.
(Chorus)
Hwyr a bore fy nymuniad
Gwyd i’r nef ar adain cân
Ar i Dduw, er mwyn fy Ngheidwad,
Roddi i mi galon lân.
(Chorus)
Calon Lan translation to English
I don’t ask for a luxurious life,
the world’s gold or its fine pearls,
I ask for a happy heart,
an honest heart, a pure heart.
Chorus
A pure heart full of goodness
Is fairer than the pretty lily,
None but a pure heart can sing,
Sing in the day and sing in the night.
If I wished for worldly wealth,
It would swiftly go to seed;
The riches of a virtuous, pure heart
Will bear eternal profit.
(Chorus)
Evening and morning, my wish
Rising to heaven on the wing of song
For God, for the sake of my Saviour,
To give me a pure heart.
I have known the Welsh version all my life and never seen an English translation. You learn something new every day!
DeleteBeautiful
ReplyDeleteXx
DeleteA very touching song.. The people of Wales all seem to sing beautifully .
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better very soon.
It’s a stereotype but a true one
DeleteI’ve been to several lovely Welsh funerals and the singing has been amazing
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThey sang that with pure heart.
ReplyDeleteDidn’t they?
DeleteSoul-stirring. It's one beautiful song.
ReplyDelete~Jo
The original tune is more powerful x
DeleteHere in small town USA
ReplyDeletewe have a song with a quite similar tune, called
Danny Boy .Often sang at funerals it's so loved that folks just sing it from the heart for any occasion . I think people just choose a moving song to express sharing love for someone. ..
This is Mary by the way, I published before signing in
DeleteDanny boy is a popular one here, especially with the Irish
Delete@Mary,
Delete'Danny Boy' is a traditional British/Irish folk song, with lyrics written by English lawyer Frederic Weatherly in 1910, and set to the traditional Irish melody of 'Londonderry Air' in 1913.
Gosh, they both give that their best. Lovely song.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely lovely! Thank you for the translation - wonderful words.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful song and singing.
ReplyDeleteCalon Lan never fails to give me goosebumps and a rush of emotion, no matter how it is sung, or by who....it is so moving!
ReplyDeleteI love Calon Lân, but don't like it sung to the tune of Londonderry Air, when it's own music is so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI hope the ‘powers that be’ are suitably ashamed of themselves with the decision that the Church will not be opened for funerals of people such as Trefor, who spent his whole life (more or less) in Trelawnyd. Yet another reason why the power of 'the Church' disgusts me!