The name the Welsh give to Father Christmas (or Santa Claus) is Siôn Corn. The name Siôn is pronounced like the name Shaun with an elongated ‘aw‘ and corn (meaning horn or chimney pot) is pronounced much like the English word corn but with a rolled R.
Mae Siôn Corn yn dod heno!
Father Christmas is coming tonight!
Listen to the correct pronunciation by watching the short video below:
Trivia: The name Siôn is the Welsh equivalent of John and denotes an unknown, generic male individual. Here are a few other Siôns you might encounter as your Welsh vocabulary increases!
– Siôn addewid = one who does not keep his promises
– Siôn holwr = a busybody
– Siôn lygad y geiniog = a miser
– Siôn o’r wlad = a country bumpkin
– Siôn pob crefft = Jack of all Trades
– Siôn bob ochr = one who pretends to support both sides
A Famous Welsh Santa Song for Kids
Perhaps one of the most well-known (and well-loved) songs about Siôn Corn in Welsh is Pwy Sy’n Dwad Dros y Bryn (Who is Coming Over the Hill). You can listen to the song by watching the video below and follow along with the help of the accompanying lyrics!
Pwy sy’n dwad dros y bryn,
yn ddistaw, ddistaw bach?
Ei farf yn llais, a’i wallt yn wyn,
â rhywbeth yn ei sach.
A phwy sy’n eistedd ar y tô,
ar bwys y simdde fawr?
Siôn Corn, Siôn Corn.
Helo, helo.
Tyrd yma, tyrd i lawr
Mae saith rhyfeddod yn dy sach,
gad i mi weled un?
a rho ryw drysoe bychan bach
yn enw Mab y Dyn.
Mae’r gwynt yn oer ar frig y tô,
mae yma disgwyl mawr.
Siôn Corn, Siôn Corn.
Helo, helo.
Tyrd yma, tyrd i lawr
Who is coming over the hill
very quietly?
His beard is full, and his hair is white
with something in his sack.
And who is sitting on the roof
next to the big chimney?
Santa Claus, Santa Claus.
Hello, hello
Come here, come on down
There are seven wonders in your sack,
May I see one?
And put a little treasure
in the name of the Son of Man.
The wind is cold on the top of the roof,
there’s a large expectation here
Santa Claus, Santa Claus
Hello, hello
Come here, come on down
Write a letter to Father Christmas in Welsh
Would your little one like a letter in Welsh from Siôn Corn? Then all he/she has to do is write to the Royal Mail address below.
Siôn Corn
Ogof Siôn Corn
Gwlad y Ceirw
XM4 5HQ
