The Ras Song

Every language race has their own song and ours is ‘Ymlaen, Ymlaen’ by Dewi ‘Pws’ Morris. Thanks to all who took part in the making of the video especially the staff and kids at Ysgol Ciliau Parc and Ysgol Tal-garreg and thanks to Theatr Felin-fach and Cwmni Garnfach for producing the video. You can download and broadcast the song for free here!

‘Ymlaen, Ymlaen’

1.
Mae pob cam bach yn cyfrannu at y gwaith
A phob llathen caled yn bwysig ar y daith,
Dal dy ben i fyny ar hyd y llwybr maith
Pasia’r baton ’mlan yn y ras i gadw’n iaith.

Cytgan:
Ymlaen, ymlaen rhaid pasio’r batwm ‘mlaen
Yn y ras sy’n dangos cariad at ein hiaith

2.
Trwy Mach ag Aberystwyth i Dregaron yr awn
… yna cyrraedd Llambed yn heulwen y prynhawn
Aberaeron a Llandysul, Castell Newy’ dyna ni
Mae’n taith yn dod i ben yn Aberteifi ger y lli.

tune and words by Dewi ‘Pws’ Morris, 2013


a literal translation …

Onwards, Onwards

1.
Every small step contributes to the work
And every hard yard important on the journey
Hold your head up high on the long path
Pass the baton on in the run to keep our language

Chorus:
Onwards, Onwards, must pass the baton on
In the race which shows our love for our language

2.
Through Mach[ynlleth] and Aberystwyth to Tregaron we’ll go
… and then reach Lampeter in the afternoon sunshine
Aberaeron, Llandysul, Newcastle [Emlyn] there we are
Our journey comes to an end at Cardigan by the sea

‘Ymlaen, Ymlaen’ the Ras yr Iaith song was composed by the well-known and much-loved composer, entertainer and proud Welshman, Dewi Pws Morris and recorded at Stiwdio Fflach in Aberteifi (Cardigan). The musicians were Dafydd Saer and Y Mellt, a young band from Aberystwyth who were in the final of C2 BBC Radio Cymru’s ‘Brwydr y Bandiau‘ (Battle of the Bands) for C2 BBC Radio Cymru in 2013. The song has been produced by one of Wales’s most respected producers, Hefin Ellis. The song will be hear blaring from the Ras van as we celebrate our language along the Ras route.

All other language races have their own different annual song. Why not listen to a few of them in the selection below?

Korrika

Redadeg

Rith

Mentrau Iaith Brecon Carreg Llaeth y Llan Golwg Prifysgol Cymru Y Drindod Dewi Sant Swyddfa Comisiynydd yr Heddlu a Throseddu Gwent Comisiynydd Heddlu a Throseddu Dyfed-Powys BT Prifysgol Aberystwyth Tinopolis