"Suo Gân" is a traditional Welshlullaby written by an anonymous composer. It was first recorded in print around 1800 and the lyrics were notably captured by the Welsh folklorist Robert Bryan. The song's title simply means lullaby.
Lyrics
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. 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. 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.
The American edition of the Orff Schulwerk book Music for Children sets a carolto the tune of "Suo Gân", with the following verses: 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.
"Suo Gân", as performed by James Rainbird and the Ambrosian Junior Choir directed by John McCarthy, is featured prominently in Steven Spielberg's 1987 filmEmpire of the Sun, where it is lip-synched by a young Christian Bale. It also appears, instrumentally, in the beginning of the 1991 film Dutch.
Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel has performed this song in several of his Christmas concerts, most notably with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and on his 2000 album We'll Keep a Welcome.
It is featured in the last episode of the anime Black Butler season 2, where it is sung by the demon maid Hannah Anafeloz to the show's protagonist, Ciel Phantomhive.
Welsh-born Australian Siobhan Owen recorded "Suo Gân" on her 2016 album Entwined and her 2008 album Purely Celtic.
"Suo Gân" is sung by the Welsh soprano Charlotte Church on her 1998 album Voice of an Angel.
