Emynau Cymraeg/ Welsh Hymns

I often have folk visit my music website looking for any of my hymns which have been translated into Welsh, something that I am always anxious to include. The problem is getting someone with enough time to spare for the task, and whose command of the language is matched by their musical ability, the combination of which results in a really good translation which retains all of the original meaning without distraction from the music. I'm always interested in people who can help in this voluntary task, and their work would ultimately help to provide a collection of new Welsh hymns. If you are interested then why not pay a visit to the Sheer Joy Music site and look through the hymns that are posted there. You can contact me here.

One person who has done a couple of excellent translations for me is Parchedig Olwyn Williams, a minister in the Presbyterian Church of Wales with whom I was at the Theological College in Aberystwyth. Below is her translation of O the Wonder! which is one of the hymns that she has translated, and which she has done an excellent job of. I have included the original English words as well in this post. I hope that you will enjoy singing it in either language, but especially in the Welsh.

O’r Rhyfeddod! 8.7.8.7.
Tôn: Blaenwern Cyf: Olwen Elena Williams

Clywaf d’alwad O! Waredwr,
I dy wasanaethu Di:
Fendigedig Iesu, deuaf
I’th ewyllys, plygaf i.
O’r rhyfeddod, O’r llawenydd,
Brynwr gwerthfawr ‘rwyf yn rhydd,
O’r rhyfeddod, O’r llawenydd,
Bodlon yn Dy waith bob dydd.

Drwy fy mywyd, cwsg neu effro,
Ddydd neu nos, O! ysbryd byw
‘Rwyt arweinydd a diddanydd,
Ti yw popeth im fy Nuw.
O’r rhyfeddod, O’r llawenydd,
Brynwr gwerthfawr ‘rwyf yn rhydd,
O’r rhyfeddod, O’r llawenydd,
Bodlon yn Dy waith bob dydd.

Teimlaf Di gerllaw yn fythol,
Cerddi gyda mi bob cam,
Yn ddiogel ‘rwyt yn gwarchod,
Cariad mwy na chariad mam.
O’r rhyfeddod, O’r llawenydd,
Brynwr gwerthfawr ‘rwyf yn rhydd,
O’r rhyfeddod, O’r llawenydd,
Bodlon yn Dy waith bob dydd.

Ti O! Grist, yw fy ngwaredwr,
Aethost drosof fi I’r Groes,
O! Fab Duw fy mhrynwr dedwydd,
Fe’th addolaf hyd fy oes.
O’r rhyfeddod, O’r llawenydd,
Brynwr gwerthfawr ‘rwyf yn rhydd,
O’r rhyfeddod, O’r llawenydd,
Bodlon yn Dy waith bob dydd.
© Colin Gordon-Farleigh, 2006


Oh, the Wonder! 8.7.8.7.
Tune ‘Blaenwern’.

Saviour, now I hear you calling
Me to serve You here below;
Blessed Jesus, I will follow,
Where You lead me I will go.
Oh, the wonder! Oh, the rapture!
Precious Saviour, I am free!
Oh, the wonder! Oh, the rapture!
Purest joy of serving Thee.

In my waking and my sleeping,
At the morn or eventide,
Holy Spirit in this temple,
As my Comforter and Guide.
Oh, the wonder! Oh, the rapture!
Precious Saviour, I am free!
Oh, the wonder! Oh, the rapture!
Purest joy of serving Thee.

Knowing You are always near me,
Walking always by my side,
Ever safely watching o’er me,
Blessed Saviour, friend and guide.
Oh, the wonder! Oh, the rapture!
Precious Saviour, I am free!
Oh, the wonder! Oh, the rapture!
Purest joy of serving Thee.

I acknowledge You as Saviour,
Who hung there upon the tree,
Worship You, my blest Redeemer,
Son of God who died for me.
Oh, the wonder! Oh, the rapture!
Precious Saviour, I am free!
Oh, the wonder! Oh, the rapture!
Purest joy of serving Thee.
© Colin Gordon-Farleigh, 2006