Calon Lān

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Calon Lān (A Pure Heart) is a Welsh hymn, the words of which were written in the 1890s by Daniel James (1848-1920) and sung to a tune by John Hughes (1872-1914). The song has become associated with Welsh rugby union, being sung before almost every Test match involving the Welsh national team. It's also become a standard solo for many artistes. I was beaten into second place in the learner's solo at the Boduan Eisteddfod last year by a fine rendition of the song with piano accompaniment (much to my dismay, of course!). Here is the melody, in the key of G (which I can just about manage) rather than the original Bb (much too high for me!).

Melody

Lyrics

1. Nid wy'n gofyn bywyd moethus,		I don't ask for a luxurious life,
Aur y byd na'i berlau mān:			The world's gold or its fine pearls:
Gofyn wyf am galon hapus,			I ask for a happy heart,
Calon onest, calon lān.				An honest heart, a pure heart.

   Calon lān yn llawn daioni			A pure heart full of goodness
   Tecach yw na'r lili dlos:			Is fairer than the pretty lily:
   Dim ond calon lān all ganu,			None but a pure heart can sing,
   Canu'r dydd a chanu'r nos.			Sing in the day and sing in the night.

2. Pe dymunwn olud bydol,			If I would wish for worldly wealth,
Chwim adenydd iddo sydd;			It would fly have swift wings;
Golud calon lān, rinweddol,			The riches of a virtuous, pure heart
Yn dwyn bythol elw fydd.			Will bear eternal profit.

3. Hwyr a bore fy nymuniad			Evening and morning, my wish
Esgyn ar adenydd cān				Soaring on the wing of song
Ar i Dduw, er mwyn fy Ngheidwad,		For God, for the sake of my Saviour,
Roddi i mi galon lān.				To give me a pure heart.

Some common alternatives now are as follows.