Programme Note
The beautiful words of this poem by an anonymous author were set by the composer as a surprise wedding gift to his wife Dolly Yang in April 2016. The song was performed by Elinor Bennett during the wedding service. The piece may be performed with either harp or piano accompaniment. The lyrics, in Welsh, are as follows :
I`th lygaid syllaf i a dal dy law:
Mi gerddaf gyda thi, beth bynnag ddaw.
Mi gerddaf gyda thi pan fydd y lloer
Fel llusern yn y nen ar noson oer.
Addawaf i ti’n ghalon i yn llwyr:
Mi gerddaf gyda thi drwy oriau’r hwyr.
Mi gerddaf gyda thi drwy weddill f’oes,
Pan fydd yr haul ar fryn neu’r dyddiau’n groes;
A phan ddaw’r alwad draw, pwy wyr pa awr,
Mi gerddaf gyda thi i’r freuddwyd fawr.
Here is an English translation by The Magpie Cat with the kind permission of the author :
I will walk with you though the road be long,
And set forth with a flower, a dream, a song.
I take your hand, look in your eyes and know
I will walk with you anywhere you go.
I will walk with you when the full moon’s light
Is like a lantern in the coldest night.
I promise you my heart, entire and all,
I will walk with you as the shadows fall.
I will walk with you all the years ahead,
On sunlit hills and when the sun has fled.
And when our call is heard, its hour unguessed,
I will walk with you through the lands of rest.