David of the White Rock
(Dafydd Y Gareg Wen)
Version 2

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Barry Taylor

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Lyrics
This is an ancient Welsh air that was first published in Relics of the Welsh Bards in 1794. Tradition has it that on his deathbed a bard named David, called for his harp and composed this lovely melody, requesting that it be played at his funeral.

There is another version of lyrics at David of the White Rock (1).

Dinas Emlinn, lament for the moment is nigh
When mute in the woodlands thy echoes shall die;
No more by sweet Teivi Cadwallon shall rave,
And mix his wild notes with the wild dashing wave.

In spring and in autumn thy glories of shade,
Unhonour'd shall flourish, unhonour'd shall fade;
For soon shall be lifeless the eyes and the tongue,
That viewed them with rapture, with rapture had sung.

Thy sons, Dinas Emlinn, may march in their pride,
And chase the proud Saxon from Prestatyn's side;
But where is the harp shall give life to their name?
And where is the bard shall give heroes their fame?

And, oh, Dinas Emlinn! thy daughters so fair!
Who heave the white bosom, and wave the dark hair;
What tuneful enthusiast shall worship their eye,
When have of their charms with Cadwallon shall die?

Then adieu silver Teivi! I quit thy loved scene,
To join the dim choir of the bards who have been;
With Lewarch, and Meilor, and Merlin the old,
And sage Taliesin, high harping to hold.

Adieu, Dinas Emlinn! still green be thy shades,
Unconquer'd thy warriors, and matchless thy maids;
And thou, whose faint warblings my weakness can tell,
Farewell my loved harp! my last treasure farewell!
Lyrics in Welsh
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From
Our National Songs
See Bibliography for full information.