Calon Lân is one of the most loved of all the popular Welsh hymns from the golden age of Welsh Nonconformity.  It has been part of the singing repertoire of so many Welsh men and women, whether or not they spoke their native tongue.

Calon Lân – the verse

Nid wy’n gofyn bywyd moethus,

Aur y byd nai berlau mân:

Gofyn wyf am galon hapus,

Calon onest, calon lân.

Calon lân yn llawn daioni,

Tecach yw na’r lili dlos:

Dim ond calon lân all ganu

Canu’r dydd a chanu’r nos.

Pe dymunwn olud bydol,

Hedyn buan ganddo sydd;

Golud calon lân, rinweddol,

Yn dwyn byddol elw fydd.

(Chorus)

Hwyr y bore fy nyminiad

Gwyd i’r nef ar adain can

Ar i Dduw, er mewn fy Ngheidwad,

Roddi i mi galon lân.

(Chorus)

 

Calon Lân

English (Literal) Translation

I do not ask for a life of plenty,

The world’s gold or fine pearls:

I ask for a happy heart,

Truthful heart, pure heart.

Pure Heart, full of goodness,

Fairer than the delicate Lily:

Only a pure heart can sing

Sing all day and sing all night.

If I desired enlightened life,

It would swiflty go to seed:

The riches of a virtuous, pure heart,

Will bear eternal profit. 

(Chorus)

Late and morning I’ll be wanting,

Be send to you on wings of song

So to my God for the sake of my savior,

Give me a pure heart.

(Chorus)

 Translation by Catrin Haines-Davies, volunteer at Swansea University