This year, for the very first time, my son took part in our two local Eisteddfods, singing the beautiful song O Lili Wen Fach—one of the Welsh names for the snowdrop. In fact, every child in Wales aged six and under is learning this song in class, though not all of them go on to compete or perform on stage.
I was truly amazed by his bravery—standing up there, singing his heart out in front of nearly fifty pairs of eyes. At just four years old, he had more courage than I ever would have at that age!
If your child is also competing in the Eisteddfod this year, you might be curious about the song’s Welsh lyrics and their meaning. Here, I’ve provided a clear spoken version so you can hear each word distinctly, followed by the sung version so you can follow along with the melody. You’ll also find a literal translation of the lyrics, as well as a more poetic rendition.
Words written by Nantlais Williams
Melody written by Daniel Protheroe
O Lili wen fach, O ble daethost di
Literal translation: Oh little white Lily, from where did you come
- (g)wen = white (feminine form of gwyn)
- fach = small (mutated from bach)
- o = from
- ble = where
- daethost di = you did come / you came
Poetic translation: Oh little snowdrop, where did you come from
A’r gwynt mor arw ac mor oer ei gri?
Literal translation: And the wind so rough and so cold its cry?
- a / ac = and
- gwynt = wind
- mor = so
- (g)arw = rough / wild
- oer = cold
- ei gri = its cry (ei causes cri to mutate to gri)
Poetic translation: With the wind so wild and with such a cold cry?
Sut y mentraist di allan drwy’r eira i gyd?
Literal translation: How did you venture out through all of the snow?
- sut = how
- mentraist di = you ventured / you did venture
- allan = out / outside
- drwy = through (mutated form of trwy)
- eira = snow
- i gyd = all
Poetic translation: However did you manage to climb out through all that snow?
Nid oes flodyn bach arall i’w weld yn y byd!
Literal translation: There isn’t another flower to be seen in the world!
- nid oes = there is not
- flodyn = flower (mutated form of blodyn)
- bach = small
- arall = other
- i’w weld = to be seen
- yn y byd = in the world
Poetic translation: There is no other little flower to be seen anywhere!
Ond mae gennyt fantell dros dy wisg wen
Literal translation: But you have a cloak over your white dress
- ond = but
- mae gennyt = you have
- fantell = cloak/cape (mutated form of mantell)
- dros = over
- dy wisg = your dress (dy causes gwisg to mutate to wisg)
- (g)wen = white (feminine form of gwyn)
Poetic translation: But you wear a cloak over your white dress
a’r ffordd fwyaf dengar o blygu dy ben
Literal translation: and the most alluring way of bowing your head
- ffordd = way
- fwyaf = most (mutated form of mwyaf)
- dengar = attractive/alluring
- blygu = to bend/bow (mutated form of plygu)
- dy ben = your head (dy causes pen to mutate to ben)
Poetic translation: and the most alluring way of bowing your head
Nid oes eira na gwynt, nid oes dewin na gwrach
Literal translation: There is no snow or wind, there is no wizard or witch
- nid oes = there isn’t
- eira = snow
- na = or/nor
- gwynt = wind
- dewin = wizard
- gwrach = witch
Poetic translation: There is no snow or wind, no wizard or witch
All fentro gwneud niwed i’r Lili wen fach.
Literal translation: Can dare to harm the little while Lily
- all = (it) can
- fentro = to dare/venture (mutated from mentro)
- niwed = harm
Poetic translation: That dares to bring harm to the little snowdrop.
Below you can hear the complete song sung by yours truly. Please forgive my not-so-perfect voice!
O Lili Wen Fach – The complete song
In the video below, you can hear my son singing the first verse of the song. His Welsh isn’t perfect, but given that he’s only been learning for six months, I think he did an amazing job!
Did you know that the snowdrop has a number of different names in Welsh, including lili wen fach (little white lily), the official name eirlys, blodyn yr eira (flower of the snow), cloch maban or cloch y baban (baby bell), and prydferth ôd (beautiful snow).
Helpful resources:
