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From: "Pauline James" <>
Subject: Re: [Cmn-L] Fw: Alternate Histories of Wales - Chapter 6.
Date: Thu, 23 Nov 2000 09:17:45 -0000


Hi Barrie

I'm so glad you think of us when you re-direct the amusing items you find on
your travels around various lists - thanks

Pauline



-----Original Message-----
From: tots <>
To: <>
Date: 23 November 2000 04:35
Subject: [Cmn-L] Fw: Alternate Histories of Wales - Chapter 6.


>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "David and Pat Halliday" <>
>To: <>
>Sent: Monday 11 2000 6:30 PM
>Subject: Alternate Histories of Wales - Chapter 6.
>
>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> After Huw quite rightly blew the whistle on what was becoming a boring
and
>> gloomy thread about the directionless ex-colony over there - I'm hoping
he
>> won't mind a bit of cultural levity in the form of the next Chapter in
the
>> Histories.
>>
>> Chapter 6 - The original Welsh National Anthem
>> -------------------------------------------------
>>
>> An old manuscript has come into my possesion, written in an ancient
Celtic
>> runic script, dating from around 500 AD.
>>
>> Dedicated research with the aid of the plastic magnifying glass that Pat
>> uses at the local LDS to look at the Parish films has revealed that it is
>> one of the earliest recorded Druid hymns.
>>
>> Yes - written in the great early Welsh style of Bardic rhyme, the
document
>> is also remarkable in being set to music - written in the ancient style
>> before the invention of the present staves.
>>
>> Now it happens that in Bellingen, where we live, there is a maker of
>Celtic
>> Harps (this is absolutely true!) - and I asked him if the music had been
>> written especially for that instrument. Well - would you believe it -
yes
>> it was!
>>
>> Our translation has revealed that it is pretty much identical to the tune
>we
>> now know as "Men of Harlech".
>>
>> So - all enthusiastic male listers should now consume several pints of
>best
>> Rhymney Ale - all female listeresses should knock back enough gin and
>tonics
>> (or all of you substitute whatever your local equivalent is). Gather
>> yourselves around your nearest Celtic Harp - or failing that a piano -
>and
>> join together with me in singing, to the above tune :-------------
>>
>> "The original Welsh National Anthem"
>>
>> (to refrain)
>> What's the use of wearing braces
>> Pants and vests and boots with laces
>> These are things you buy in places
>> Like Marks along the road
>>
>> What's the use of shirts of cotton
>> Once they're worn they soon get rotten
>> Such apparel's best forgotten
>> Better far is woad!!
>>
>> (to chorus)
>> Woad was made to show men (da-da-da-da)
>> Woad to scare the foe men (da-da-da-da)
>> Boil it to
>> A brilliant hue
>> And stick it on your back and your ab-do-men
>> Ancient Briton never did hit on
>> Anything as good as woad to fit on
>> Neck or knees or where you sit onnnnnnn
>> Tailors you be blowed!
>>
>> (to refrain)
>> Romans came across the channel
>> All dressed up in tin and flannel
>> Half a pint of woad per man'll
>> Dress us more than these
>>
>> Saxons you can waste your stitches
>> Building beds for bugs in britches
>> We have woad to clothe us which is
>> Not a nest for fleas
>>
>> (to chorus)
>> Romans keep your armours (da-da-da-da)
>> Saxons your pyjamas (da-da-da-da)
>> Hairy coats
>> Were meant for goats
>> Gorillas, yaks, reriever dogs and llamas
>> Ancient Britons climb up Snowdon
>> Never mind if you get rained or blowed on
>> Never need a button sewed on
>> Go it Ancient Beeeeeeeees!
>>
>> ______________________________
>>
>> There - I bet you all felt better for that.
>>
>> Regards
>> Daffydd ap Appuldywr
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ==== GLAMORGAN Mailing List ====
>> Welsh Family History:
>> http://home.clara.net/wfha/wales/index.htm
>>
>>
>
>
>==== CARMARTHENSHIRE Mailing List ====
>Pembrey, Llanelly & Kidwelly Historical Society's
>http://www.carmarthenshirefhs.btinternet.co.uk
>
>

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