"Suo Gân" is a traditional Welsh lullaby written by Morfydd Llwyn Owen. It was first recorded in print around 1800 and the lyrics were notably captured by the Welsh folklorist Robert Bryan (1858–1920). The song's title simply means lullaby (suo = lull; cân = song).

Lyrics

<poem lang="cy" style="float:left;">Welsh Huna blentyn ar fy mynwes, Clyd a chynnes ydyw hon; Breichiau mam sy'n dynn amdanat, Cariad mam sy dan fy mron; Ni chaiff dim amharu'th gyntun, Ni wna undyn â thi gam; Huna'n dawel, annwyl blentyn, Huna'n fwyn ar fron dy fam. Huna'n dawel, heno, huna, Huna'n fwyn, y tlws ei lun; Pam yr wyt yn awr yn gwenu, Gwenu'n dirion yn dy hun? Ai angylion fry sy'n gwenu, Arnat ti yn gwenu'n llon, Tithau'n gwenu'n ôl dan huno, Huno'n dawel ar fy mron? Paid ag ofni, dim ond deilen Gura, gura ar y ddôr; Paid ag ofni, ton fach unig Sua, sua ar lan y môr; Huna blentyn, nid oes yma Ddim i roddi iti fraw; Gwena'n dawel yn fy mynwes. Ar yr engyl gwynion draw. <poem style="margin-left:2em; float:left;">Translation Sleep child upon my bosom, It is cosy and warm; Mother's arms are tight around you, A mother's love is in my breast; Nothing shall disturb your slumber, Nobody will do you harm; Sleep in peace, dear child, Sleep quietly on your mother's breast. Sleep peacefully tonight, sleep; Gently sleep, my lovely; Why are you now smiling, Smiling gently in your sleep? Are angels above smiling on you, As you smile cheerfully, Smiling back and sleeping, Sleeping quietly on my breast? Do not fear, it is nothing but a leaf Beating, beating on the door; Do not fear, only a small wave Murmurs, murmurs on the seashore; Sleep child, there's nothing here Nothing to give you fright; Smile quietly in my bosom, On the blessed angels yonder. <poem style="margin-left:2em; float:left;">Poetic translation Sleep my darling, on my bosom, Harm will never come to you; Mother's arms enfold you safely, Mother's heart is ever true. As you sleep there's naught to scare you, Naught to wake you from your rest; Close those eyelids, little angel, Sleep upon your mother's breast. Sleep, my darling, night is falling Rest in slumber sound and deep; I would know why you are smiling, Smiling sweetly as you sleep! Do you see the angels smiling As they see your rosy rest, So that you must smile an answer As you slumber on my breast? Don't be frightened, it's a leaflet Tapping, tapping on the door; Don't be frightened, 'twas a wavelet Sighing, sighing on the shore. Slumber, slumber, naught can hurt you, Nothing bring you harm or fright; Slumber, darling, smiling sweetly At those angels robed in white.

Other uses of the tune

The tune is used for several hymns, including: The American edition of the Orff Schulwerk book Music for Children sets a carol to the tune of "Suo Gân", with the following verses: <poem style="margin-left: 2em;">Suogân, do not weep, Suogân, go to sleep; Suogân, mother's near, Suogân, have no fear. Suogân, Eastern Star, Suogân, from afar; Suogân, shepherds sing, Suogân, newborn King. Suogân, from above, Suogân, song of love; Suogân, blessed morn, Suogân, Christ is born.

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