Mab Annwyl Dy Fam (Your mother's dear son) - Meredydd Evans (Wales) 1954
[From Smithsonian Folkways Folkways Records FW 6835, [1954] by Meredydd Evans of Llanegryn, Wales. My translation may need some improvement. Since one of the gifts is "a sewing machine" this seems like a modern adaptation (1900s).
R. Matteson 2018]
"Mab Annwyl Dy Fam" sung by by Meredydd Evans (1919- 2015) of Llanegryn, Wales in 1954.
"P'le buost ti neithiwr,
mab annwyl dy fam?"
"Pyagola, mam annwyl;
O! c'weiriwch fy ngwely,
'rwy'n glaf, 'rwy'n glaf,
A'm calon ar fyned i'r bedd."
Pa liw oedd dy bysgod,
mab annwyl dy fam?
Rhai brithion, mam annwyl;
O! c'weiriwch fy ngwely,
'rwy'n glaf,
A'm calon ar fyned i'r bedd.
Be 'roi di dy dad,
mab annwyl dy fam?
O pum punt, mam annwyl;
O! c'weiriwch fy ngwely,
'rwy'n glaf, 'rwy'n glaf,
A'm calon ar fyned i'r bedd.
Be 'roi di dy chwaer,
mab annwyl dy fam?
Wel injan wnio;
O! c'we iriweh fy ngwely,
'rwy'n glaf,
A'm calon ar fyned i'r bedd.
Be 'roi di dy fam,
mab annwyl dy fam?
Wel ffortiwn, mam annwyl;
O! c'weiriwch fy ngWely,
'rwy'n glai, 'rwy'n glai,
A'm calon ar fyned i'r bedd.
Be 'roi di dy gariad,
mab annwyl dy fam?
Wei cortyn i'w chrogi;
O! c'weiriwch fy ngwely,
'rwy'n glaf, 'rwy'n glaf,
A'm calon ar fyned i'r bedd.
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"Mab Annwyl Dy Fam" Translation:
(Your Mother's Dear Son)
"Where were you last night,
Your mother's dear son?"
"I went fishing, dear mother,
Oh make my bed,
I am getting sicker
and nearing my grave."
"What was the colour or your fish,
Your mother's dear son?"
"Speckled, dear mother,
Oh make my bed,
I am getting sicker
and nearing my grave."
"What will you give your father,
Your mother's dear son?"
"Five pounds, dear mother!
Oh make my bed,
I am getting sicker
and nearing my grave."
"What will you give your sister,
Your mother's dear son?"
"A sewing machine, dear mother."
Oh make my bed,
I am getting sicker
and nearing my grave."
"What will you give your mother ,
Your mother's dear son?"
"A fortune, dear mother
Oh make my bed,
I am getting sicker
and nearing my grave."
"What will you give your sweetheart,
Your mother's dear son?"
"A rope to hang her,
Oh make my bed,
I am getting sicker
and nearing my grave."