Myfanwy Lyrics

Summary

Many believe that the haunting tune of Myfanwy is possibly one of the greatest love songs ever written. Certainly, the late, great Ryan Davies described it so. The song Myfanwy is very popular and is sung regularly by Male Voice Choirs and unofficially at all sorts of events, sporting and other. It is sung almost exclusively in Welsh. 

This Article describes the story of Myfanwy, its composers and the full lyrics in Welsh and English.

Myfanwy Pronunciation

Myfanwy is pronounced Muh-VAN-wee with the emphasis on the middle syllable. This Welsh name is typically a three-syllable word, and the "y" sounds like the "uh" in "above," while the "w" sounds like the "w" in "we". Myfanwy is in common use in today's Welsh language as a female name.

The Story Behind Myfanwy

The song Myfanwy tells a timeless tale of unrequited love between Hywel ab Einion, a humble young poet, and a noblewoman of great beauty who once lived in Castell Dinas Bran. The castle’s ruins still overlook the Welsh town of Llangollen, setting the scene for this poignant Welsh love story.

Myfanwy, said to be the daughter of the Norman Earl of Arundel, was renowned as the most beautiful woman in Powys. Proud of her beauty, she delighted in having poets and suitors praise her charm through song and verse. Yet, despite their devotion, she turned them all away.

Among those who sought her heart was Hywel ap Einion, a poor bard who journeyed to the castle to sing for her. His heartfelt poetry moved Myfanwy, and Hywel believed she had returned his love. But his dreams were soon shattered when a wealthy and eloquent rival won her favour instead. Heartbroken, Hywel poured his sorrow into the song Myfanwy, never knowing it would become one of Wales’s most beloved and enduring melodies.

Myfanwy Composers - Joseph Parry and Richard Davies

Myfanwy, the melody, was written and composed by Joseph Parry (1841 – 1903), with the lyrics written by Richard Davies (1833 – 1877) - it was first published in 1875. Maybe there was a real Myfanwy in Parry's life, a girl by the name of Myfanwy Llwyellyn. Like Parry himself, she too emigrated to America. According to the legend, they met some 30 years later but for whatever reason, Myfanwy Llwyellyn snubbed the Welsh composer and he then composed wrote his famous tune full of unfulfilled love.

Whatever the legend, the story or the history of the song, Myfanwy remains one of Wales’ most famous songs and even today the song Myfanwy features in the repertoire of many Welsh male voice choirs. It has been sung Bryn Terfel, Cerys Mathews, Rhydian Roberts, Ryan Davies and Wynne Evans, just to name a few!

Myfanwy Meaning in English?

Myfanwy Composer, Joseph Parry – 1854 to 1903

Joseph Parry arguably Wales' greatest composer, is a famous son of Chapel Row, Cyfarthfa, Merthyr Tydfil. He composed over 400 Hymn tunes, three hundred songs, and 300 anthems, chorales and other orchestral pieces. Yet this talented man was born into poverty and spent several of his early years working in coal mines and iron works.

Joseph Parry was born on 21 May 1854. He loved music from an early age, but the family - seven children in all - was often in financially difficult situations. As a result, Joseph went to work in the Cyfarthfa Mills at the age of 9. In 1854, when Joseph Parry was 13 years old, his father decided to move to America and settled in Danville in Pennsylvania; this story is told by Jack Jones in the novel Off to Philadelphia in the morning.

After some time in America, Parry returned to Britain to concentrate on his musical career, and he attended the Royal Academy of Music. He won major prizes at the National Eisteddfodau in Swansea and Llandudno and was admitted to the Gorsedd with the bardic name of Pencerdd America. In 1873 he became Professor of Music at the University College, Aberystwyth and remained there until 1880. In 1888 Parry settled in the small seaside town of Penarth and died there on 17th February 1903.

Myfanwy, As Sung By...

The song has featured in many films and television programmes and has been sung by almost, if not every single Welsh male voice choir. In films it featured in 'How Green was my Valley' and also in the Swansea based film, 'Twin Town'. It is also sung in the 1992 Welsh-language biographical film Hedd Wyn. Rather surprisingly, it is both played and discussed in the episode "Death and Dust" of the television show Midsomer Murders during a visit to Wales by detectives from an English village.

In modern times, it is still a favourite as sung by Cerys Mathews, and Bryn Terfel and is also sung without exception at every Welsh Rugby Union international in the National Stadium, Cardiff. Even Nigel Owens, our World Cup referee has sung Myfanwy!! Lastly, a mention to the famous USA singer and band Donny Osmond who has also sung Myfanwy.