Keridwen o’r Mynydd Gwyrdd
to “The Ash Grove”
1. If you ever wander
Out by the Welsh border,
Come stop by and see me
And all my kin.
I’m Morgan ap Dafydd
Ap Guion ap Hywell
Ap Ifor ap Madoc
Ap Rhodri ap Gwyn
We’ll feast you on mutton
And harp for your pleasure,
And give you a place
To sleep out of the cold,
Or maybe we’ll meet you
Out on the dark roadway
And rob you of horses
And weapons and gold.
2. My neighbor from England,
Has come across raiding,
Slain six of my kinsmen
And burned down my hall.
It cannot be borne
This offence and injustice
I’ve only killed four
Of his last I recall.
I’ll send for my neighbors,
Llewellyn and Owain,
We’ll cut him down
As for the border he rides,
But yesterday Owain
Stole three of my cattle,
And first I’ll retake them
And three more besides.
3. We need a strong prince
To direct our
resistance,
Heroic, impartial,
Of noble degree.
My brother’s wife’s fourth cousin’s
Fosterson Gruffydd
Is the best for the job
As I’m sure you’ll agree.
What matter that Rhys
Is the old prince’s nephew?
He’s exiled to Ireland
And will not return.
I know this for every time
Boats he is building,
I send my spies money
To see that they burn.
4. Last evening my brother
And I were at war
Over two feet of land
On a boundary we share.
But early this morning
I hear he’s been murdered,
I’ll not rest until I
Avenge him, I swear.
Yes, we are just plain folks,
Who mind our own business,
Honest, and loyal,
And full of good cheer.
So if you should wander
Out by the Welsh border,
Come stop by and meet
All the friendly folk here.