Welsh National Anthem:
Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau
HEN WLAD FY NHADAU (in English: Land of My Fathers) is the national anthem of Wales. The words were written by Evan James and the tune by his son James James in 1856. It is one of the most loved symbols of Welsh identity, celebrating the country’s language, music, landscape, and enduring spirit. Today it is sung proudly at national events, especially before rugby and football internationals, where the first verse and chorus are most commonly used.
Below, we bring you the full version, in both the original Welsh language and translated into English, followed by a phonetic version of the opening verse and chorus.
Lyrics of the Welsh National Anthem in Welsh and English
Welsh (Original):
Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau
Verse 1
Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,
Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;
Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mad,
Dros ryddid collasant eu gwaed.
Chorus
Gwlad! Gwlad! Pleidiol wyf i’m gwlad.
Tra môr yn fur i’r bur hoff bau,
O bydded i’r hen iaith barhau.
Verse 2
Hen Gymru fynyddig, paradwys y bardd,
Pob dyffryn, pob clogwyn, i’m golwg sy’n hardd;
Trwy deimlad gwladgarol, mor swynol yw si
Ei nentydd, afonydd, i mi.
Chorus
Gwlad! Gwlad! Pleidiol wyf i’m gwlad.
Tra môr yn fur i’r bur hoff bau,
O bydded i’r hen iaith barhau.
Verse 3
Os treisiodd y gelyn fy ngwlad dan ei droed,
Mae hen iaith y Cymry mor fyw ag erioed,
Ni luddiwyd yr awen gan erchyll law brad,
Na thelyn berseiniol fy ngwlad.
Chorus
Gwlad! Gwlad! Pleidiol wyf i’m gwlad.
Tra môr yn fur i’r bur hoff bau,
O bydded i’r hen iaith barhau.
English Translation:
Land of My Fathers
Verse 1
Land of my fathers, so dear to me,
Land of poets and singers, famous and free;
Her brave warriors, noble patriots bold,
For freedom shed their blood.
Chorus
Country! Country! I am true to my country.
While the sea is a wall to this pure, dear land,
May the old language endure.
Verse 2
Old mountainous Wales, a paradise of song,
Each valley and hillside to me does belong;
Through love of my country, so lovely to see
Her streams and rivers to me.
Chorus
Country! Country! I am true to my country.
While the sea is a wall to this pure, dear land,
May the old language endure.
Verse 3
Though foes have trampled my land beneath their feet,
The old Welsh language remains strong and sweet;
The Muse is not silenced by treachery’s hand,
Nor the harp of my land.
Chorus
Country! Country! I am true to my country.
While the sea is a wall to this pure, dear land,
May the old language endure.
And for non-Welsh speakers… a simple pronunciation guide
This is not perfect International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), but it is easy for English speakers to follow.
Title:
Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau
Approx.: hen oo-lad vuh NHA-dye
Verse 1:
Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi
Approx.: my hen oo-lad vuh NHA-dye un AN-noo-il ee mee
Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri
Approx.: oolad bayrth ah khan-TOR-yon, en-WOG-yon oh vree
Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mad
Approx.: ay GOO-rol ruh-VEL-wir, oolad-GAR-wir trah mad
Dros ryddid collasant eu gwaed
Approx.: dross HRUH-did ko-LASS-ant ay gwide
Chorus:
Gwlad! Gwlad! Pleidiol wyf i’m gwlad
Approx.: oolad! oolad! PLAY-dee-ol ooiv eem oolad
Tra môr yn fur i’r bur hoff bau
Approx.: trah more un veer eer beer hohff bye
O bydded i’r hen iaith barhau
Approx.: oh BUH-thed eer hen yaithe bar-HIGH