[Trad., arr. Gwenan Gibbard, Maartin Allcock © Cyhoeddiadau Sain]

This lively Welsh traditional folk song gives a tongue in cheek account of country girl Gwenni’s minor mishaps as she goes about her daily chores. There are many versions of this song, this particular one features in a collection of Welsh folk songs published in 1956 and was the version sung in Dolgellau years ago. It was contributed by Mrs Mair Howells, Aberdâr (previously of Dolgellau).

Welsh lyrics:

Gwenni aeth i ffair Pwllheli
Dymanigo, dymanigo, ai ai io,
Eisiau padell bridd oedd arni,
Dymanigo, dymanigo, ai ai io.
Rhodd amdani chwech o syllte,
Dymanigo, dymanigo, ai ai io,
Costiai gartre’ ddwy a dime,
Dymanigo, dymanigo, ai ai io.

Gwenni aeth yn fore i odro,
Dymanigo, dymanigo, ai ai io,
Gwerth y chweswllt rhwng ei dwylo,
Dymanigo, dymanigo, ai ai io.
Rhodd y fuwch un slap â’i chynffon,
Dymanigo, dymanigo, ai ai io,
Nes oedd y chweswllt bron yn deilchion,
Dymanigo, dymanigo, ai ai io.

Gwenni aeth yn fore i olchi,
Dymanigo, dymanigo, ai ai io,
Eisiau dillad glân oedd arni,
Dymanigo, dymanigo, ai ai io.
Tra bu Gwen yn nôl y sebon,
Dymanigo, dymanigo, ai ai io,
Y dillad aeth i lawr yr afon,
Dymanigo, dymanigo, ai ai io.

« back to 'compact discs'

English translation:

To Pwllheli fair went Nancy,
Dymanigo, dymanigo, ia, ia, io,
On a china bowl her fancy;
Dymanigo, dymanigo, ia, ia, io.
What she bought for six and sixpence
Dymanigo, dymanigo, ia, ia, io,
Cost at home but rarely twopence,
Dymanigo, dymanigo, ia, ia, io.

On the morrow forth went Nancy,
Dymanigo, dymanigo, ia, ia, io;
Washing clothes was now her fancy,
Dymanigo, dymanigo, ia, ia, io.
While she looked for soap to wash them,
Dymanigo, dymanigo, ia, ia,io,
See the wicked river snatched them,
Dymanigo, dymanigo, ia, ia, io.

[David Bell, Hwiangerddi Cymru, (Llangollen, 1944)]