Tune traditional, lyrics John Ceiriog Hughes, arrangement: Hugh Roberton.
The tune to Ar Hyd y Nos was first recorded in Edward Jones’ Musical and Poetical Relics of the Welsh Bards (1784). The most commonly sung Welsh lyrics were written by John Ceiriog Hughes (1832-1887). The song is very popular with traditional Welsh male voice choirs, and is sometimes sung as a Christmas carol, and the tune has also been used for hymns. Roberton’s arrangement was written in 1940.
Words
Holl amrantau’r sêr ddywedant
Ar hyd y nos
Dyma’r ffordd i fro gogoniant
Ar hyd y nos.
Golau arall yw tywyllwch
I arddangos gwir brydferthwch
Teulu’r nefoedd mewn tawelwch
Ar hyd y nos.
O mor siriol gwena seren
Ar hyd y nos
I oleuo’i chwaer-ddaearen
Ar hyd y nos.
Nos yw henaint pan ddaw cystudd
Ond i harddu dyn a’i hwyrddydd
Rhown ein golau gwan i’n gilydd
Ar hyd y nos.
Translation
All the twinkling of the stars says
All through the night
This is the way to the valley of glory
All through the night.
Darkness is another light
To exhibit true beauty
The Heavenly family in silence
All through the night.
Oh, how happily shines the star
All through the night
To light its earthly sister
All through the night.
Old age is night when affliction comes
But to beautify man in his twilight
We’ll put our weak light together
All through the night.
Translation source: http://www.mcglaun.com/thru_night.htm