
Hen Ferchetan
Hen ferchetan wedi colli’i chariad,
Cael un arall, dyna oedd ei bwriad,
Ond nid oedd un o lanciau’r pentref
Am briodi Lisa fach yr Hendref.
More…
Hen Ferchetan
—The Old Maid
The frustrations of a Lisa from the Hendre who can’t find a boyfriend. “New potatoes will grow on an apple tree before Lisa will get married.” But then she goes to Bala fair. A word from Sion Prys on her way home gives her hope. Only the first verse is traditional: the others are by Enid Parry.
The notation for this song and more is available in the collection Traditional Songs of the Welsh
Hen ferchetan wedi colli’i chariad,
Cael un arall, dyna oedd ei bwriad,
Ond nid oedd un o lanciau’r pentref
Am briodi Lisa fach yr Hendref.
Hen ferchetan sydd yn dal i dreio,
Gwisgo lasie sidan ac ymbincio,
Ond er bod brân i frân yn rhywle,
Nid oes neb i Lisa fach yr Hendre.
Hen ferchetan bron a thorri i chalon,
Mynd i’r llan mae pawb o’i hen gariadon,
Bydd tatws newydd ar bren ‘fale
Cyn priodith Lisa fach yr Hendre.
Hen ferchetan aeth i Ffair y Bala,
Gweld Sion Prys yn fachgen digon smala,
Gair a ddywedodd wrth fynd adre
Gododd galon Lisa fach yr Hendre.
Old maid had lost her love,
Get another one, that was her intention,
But none of village lads
Wanted to marry little Lisa from the Hendre
Old maid still trying,
Wearing satin ribbons and make-up
But though there’s a crow for every crow somewhere,
There’s no-one for little Lisa from the Hendre
Old maid nearly breaking her heart,
All her former lovers going to church (ie getting married),
There’ll be new potatoes on apple trees
Before little Lisa from the Hendre marries.
Old maid went to Bala Fair,
Saw Siôn Prys, an amusing enough boy,
He had a word on the way home
Little Lisa from the Hendre’s heart rose.
1 Comment
Submit a Comment

CONTACT US+
trac
PO Box 205
BARRY CF63 9FF
01446 748 556
trac@trac-cymru.org
If Welsh song “Hen Ferchetan” sung in American Appalachians, would accompaniment be hammer dulcimer?
Heard a version on mandolin recorded by Avi Avitel and broadcast on classical music FM radio station in NYC, WQXR. Watched Sorela YouTube. Thank you for information on your website. cb Librarian in a public library NYS, USA..