Yma o Hyd’ was originally recorded by Dafydd Iwan and Ar Log in 1983 as a passionate song of defiance about the survival of the Welsh language against all the odds. The song’s title translates to ‘We’re Still Here’ and celebrates Welsh as one of the oldest living languages in the world.
Dwyt ti'm yn cofio Macsen
Doesneb yn ei nabod o
Maemil a chwe chant o flynyddoedd
Ynamser rhy hir i'r co'
Panaeth Magnus Maximus o Gymru
Yny flwyddyn tri-chant-wyth-tri
A'ngadael yn genedl gyfan
A heddiw: wele ni!
(You don't rememberMacsen,
nobody knows him.
One thousand and sixhundred years,
a time too long toremember.
When Magnus Maximus leftWales,
in the year 383,
leaving us a whole nation,
and today - look at us!)
Ry'nni yma o hyd
Ry'nni yma o hyd
Ergwaetha pawb a phopeth
Ergwaetha pawb a phopeth
Ergwaetha pawb a phopeth
Ry'nni yma o hyd
Ry'nni yma o hyd
Ergwaetha pawb a phopeth
Ergwaetha pawb a phopeth
Ergwaetha pawb a phopeth
Ry'nni yma o hyd
(We are still here,
we are still here,
in spite of everyone andeverything,
in spite of everyone andeverything,
in spite of everyone andeverything.
We are still here,
we are still here,
in spite of everyone andeverything,
in spite of everyone andeverything,
in spite of everyone andeverything.
We are still here.)
Chwythedy gwynt o'r Dwyrain
Rhuedy storm o'r môr
Holltedy mellt yr wybren
Agwaedded y daran encôr
Llifeddagrau'r gwangalon
Allyfed y taeog y llawr
Erdued yw'r fagddu o'n cwmpas
Ry'nni'n barod am doriad y wawr!
(Let the wind blow fromthe East,
let the storm roar fromthe sea,
let the lightning splitthe heavens,
and the thunder shout"encore!"
Let the tears of thefaint-hearted flow,
and the servile lick thefloor.
Despite the blacknessaround us,
we are ready for thebreaking of the dawn!)
Cofiwni Facsen Wledig
Adaelein gwlad yn un darn
Abloeddiwn gerbron y gwledydd
Mifyddwn yma tan Ddydd y Farn!
Ergwaetha pob Dic Siôn Dafydd
Ergwaetha 'rhen Fagi a'i chriw
Byddwnyma hyd ddiwedd amser
Abydd yr iaith Gymraeg yn fyw!
(We remember that Macsenthe Emperor
left our country in onewhole piece.
And we shall shout beforethe nations,
"We'll be here untilJudgement Day!"
Despite every Dic SiônDafydd,
despite old Maggie and hercrew,