Ar Lan y Môr Lyrics (Welsh) with English Translation
Ar Lan y Môr - Traditional Welsh Folk Song
“Ar Lan y Môr” is one of the best-known traditional Welsh folk songs. The title means “Beside the Sea”, and the song is a gentle love ballad celebrating nature, romance, and the beauty of the Welsh coastline.
The lyrics describe a young woman named Elin, whose beauty is compared to flowers growing by the sea. Like many Welsh folk songs, Ar Lan y Môr uses natural imagery such as roses, lilies, and the rising sun to express love and admiration.
The song has been performed by many Welsh singers, choirs, and folk musicians and remains a favourite at Welsh cultural events, concerts, and traditional gatherings.
On this page you’ll find the original Welsh lyrics, an English translation, and a little background about the song.
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Ar Lan y Môr - Welsh and English Lyrics
Cymraeg |
English |
|
Ar lan y môr mae rhosys cochion Ar lan y môr mae carreg wastad Ar lan y môr mae cerrig gleision Llawn yw'r môr o swnd a chegryn Mor hardd yw'r haul yn codi'r bore |
Down by the sea red roses are blooming; Down where the sea laps at the flat rock By the seaside are blue stones Full the sea of sand and billows Fair the sun at new day’s dawning |
Meaning of the Song
Ar Lan y Môr is a classic example of Welsh romantic folk poetry, where love is expressed through images of the natural world.
The roses and lilies growing by the sea symbolise beauty and purity, while the rising dawn represents hope and devotion. The song reflects a long tradition in Welsh music where landscapes, especially the coast and countryside, play an important role in storytelling.
Although simple in structure, the melody and imagery have made Ar Lan y Môr one of the most loved traditional songs in Wales.
Learn the Welsh Words
| Welsh | English |
|---|---|
| môr | sea |
| rhosys | roses |
| lili wen | white lily |
| cariad | love |
Famous Performances of Ar Lan y Môr
Over the years, Ar Lan y Môr has been recorded and performed by many Welsh musicians and choirs. It is particularly popular with:
- Welsh folk singers
- traditional Celtic musicians
- Welsh male voice choirs
- cultural festivals and eisteddfodau
The song continues to be taught in Welsh schools and performed internationally as part of Wales’ musical heritage.
Listen to Ar Lan y Môr
As sung by Elin Fflur and Max Boyce, courtesy of S4C
A Song of the Welsh Coast
For generations, Ar Lan y Môr has captured the gentle beauty of the Welsh coastline and the timeless themes of love and admiration. Its simple melody and poetic lyrics make it one of the most enduring songs in Welsh folk tradition.
Whether sung by choirs, folk musicians, or at community gatherings, the song continues to celebrate the language, music, and culture of Wales
More Famous Welsh Songs
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- Myfanwy - traditional Welsh song
- Sosban Fach - popular Welsh folk tune